Ryan Helsley Signs 2-Year, $28M Deal With Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles just made a bold move to shore up the back end of their bullpen. They signed hard-throwing righty Ryan Helsley to a two-year, $28 million deal with a player opt-out after the first season.

It’s a calculated gamble on serious upside. Even after a rough two-month stretch with the New York Mets, Helsley comes to Baltimore with an All-Star resume, a recent MLB saves title, and the clear job of locking down the ninth inning for a contender.

Orioles Land Their New Closer in Ryan Helsley

The Orioles didn’t bother hiding their offseason plans. President of baseball operations Mike Elias laid it out pretty simply: get a frontline starter, a high-end reliever, and a veteran bat.

With Helsley now in the fold, Baltimore’s checked off the bullpen box in emphatic fashion. They landed a proven closer with real swing-and-miss stuff and late-game experience in the National League.

For the Orioles, this move isn’t just about saves. It’s about locking down the back end so the front office can focus on upgrading the rotation from a strong list of remaining free agents.

Contract Details and Strategic Implications

The deal is a two-year, $28 million contract with a player opt-out after Year 1. That structure says a lot.

If Helsley dominates in 2025, he can re-enter free agency and maybe land a longer, richer deal. If he struggles, the Orioles keep him for a second year at a set price, betting on a rebound from a pitcher who’s shown flashes of dominance.

Baltimore’s taking a high-upside swing in a volatile reliever market. They get a possible top-tier closer without risking a four- or five-year commitment.

From All-Star to Struggles: Helsley’s Road to Baltimore

Helsley arrives with a resume that’s a lot better than his latest ERA suggests. He built his reputation as a power reliever over six seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, going from intriguing arm to one of the National League’s top closers.

Even after a rough stop in Queens, his track record shows elite peaks and real durability in high-pressure spots. That’s why he was one of the most sought-after relievers this winter.

Dominance in St. Louis

The high point of Helsley’s career came with the Cardinals. He made the 2024 National League All-Star team and led all of MLB with 49 saves that season, really cementing himself as a reliable ninth-inning presence.

In 2025, before his trade to the Mets, Helsley got into 36 games for St. Louis and converted 21 of 26 save opportunities. The conversion rate dipped a bit, but he was still a trusted closer and a central part of the Cardinals’ bullpen.

What Went Wrong with the Mets?

After the trade deadline, things fell apart for Helsley in New York. In 22 appearances, he posted a 7.20 ERA and lost his high-leverage role fast.

For a guy coming off an All-Star season and a saves title, the drop-off was hard to miss. Helsley’s been open about his struggles, blaming pitch tipping and predictable fastball usage for giving hitters an edge.

In an era of high-speed video and advanced scouting, even a tiny tell in a pitcher’s delivery can turn a plus pitch into a problem. Mets opponents seemed to be a step ahead too often.

Why the Market Still Believed in Helsley

Despite all that, front offices across the league didn’t just look at the rough patch. About 15 teams showed real interest in Helsley, which says a lot about how evaluators still view his raw stuff.

The Detroit Tigers even kicked around the idea of using Helsley as a starter. That’s a pretty wild thought, but it shows how much some clubs value his arm and stamina.

Orioles’ Bullpen Vision with Helsley at the Back End

Baltimore’s plan is a lot more straightforward. Helsley’s expected to step right into the ninth-inning closer role, giving the Orioles a clear late-game hierarchy.

That kind of clarity helps the manager and front office build out the rest of the staff. With the ninth inning locked down, the Orioles can put their resources toward the rotation.

Next on Baltimore’s List: Starting Pitching

Now that they’ve got a high-end reliever and a clear back-end identity, the Orioles can shift their focus to the rotation. Elias has been honest about the need for a frontline starter, and there are still some intriguing names out there.

Among the remaining free-agent starting pitchers, these names have been linked to the Orioles’ wish list or the broader market:

Each of these pitchers brings something different — Valdez’s ground-ball game, Gallen’s ace upside, King’s strikeouts — but the goal is obvious. Baltimore wants a true impact starter to go with its revamped bullpen.

Final Thoughts: A Calculated Bet on Elite Relief

The Orioles’ signing of Ryan Helsley feels like the kind of gamble you make when you’re sure your window is wide open. They’re pretty much hoping the Mets stint was just a weird blip, that maybe pitch-tipping and predictability are fixable, and that the All-Star closer from St. Louis can actually thrive in the American League.

If Helsley figures it out, Baltimore doesn’t just land a shutdown closer. They also get the freedom to shape a rotation that might actually do some damage in October.

With the AL as competitive as ever, having a bullpen you can trust and a rotation with real ambition might be what separates a team barely scraping into the playoffs from one that’s actually chasing a championship.

 
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