The Orioles have checked the next box in a long list of roster needs this offseason.
With Felix Bautista expected to miss most of 2026 after undergoing major shoulder surgery this past August, president of baseball operations Mike Elias has agreed to a two-year deal with two-time All-Star closer Ryan Helsley, according to ESPN. The $28 million contract is pending a physical and features a player opt-out after the 2026 season, according to The Athletic.
The 31-year-old Helsley emerged as one of the game’s best closers with St. Louis with 82 saves, 225 strikeouts, and a 1.83 ERA over 167 2/3 innings from 2022-24. However, 2025 was a different story as the right-hander struggled immensely after being acquired by the New York Mets at the trade deadline, posting a 7.20 ERA and allowing four home runs over 20 innings. Those woes were attributed to problems with tipping pitches, and Helsley was able to rebound to toss six scoreless appearances to finish the 2025 campaign.
In 56 innings between the Cardinals and Mets last season, Helsley posted a 4.50 ERA and registered 21 saves, which all came with St. Louis before he served as a setup man to All-Star closer Edwin Diaz in New York. Until last year’s deadline, Helsley had spent his entire career with St. Louis after being selected in the fifth round of the 2015 draft.
Baseball’s saves leader with 49 in 2024, Helsley averages just over 99 mph on his fastball and sports one of the game’s best sliders, a combination that prompted speculation that some teams were interested in moving him into a starting role. With that kind of electric stuff, the Orioles are taking a calculated risk that the veteran will rebound from a poor second half of 2025 to lead a bullpen that figures to need at least one more high-leverage arm. Earlier this month, Baltimore reacquired right-hander Andrew Kittredge for cash considerations after trading him to the Chicago Cubs at last year’s deadline.
With Elias adding Hesley and Kittredge to the bullpen and acquiring outfielder Taylor Ward in the Grayson Rodriguez trade, most attention will now shift to the rotation with the Orioles needing a top-of-the-rotation starter and another depth starter to feel better about their prospects for 2026 after a last-place finish in the American League East.
Over seven major league seasons, Helsley has pitched to a 2.96 ERA with 105 saves in 319 2/3 innings.
