Orioles Land Star Closer Ryan Helsley

Orioles Land Star Closer Ryan Helsley in Two-Year Deal

The Baltimore Orioles have made a significant move this offseason, agreeing to a two-year, $28 million contract with star reliever Ryan Helsley, according to multiple sources. The deal, which includes an opt-out after the first season, addresses a critical need for the Orioles as they look to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season.

Ryan Helsley signs with the Orioles as they seek to rebuild their bullpen following the injury to Felix Bautista.

Helsley, a 31-year-old right-handed pitcher, brings a wealth of closing experience to Baltimore. The two-time All-Star spent most of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he established himself as one of the premier relievers in baseball. In 2024 alone, Helsley recorded an MLB-high 49 saves and posted a 2.04 ERA, earning him the Trevor Hoffman Award as the best reliever in the National League.

"We're thrilled to add a pitcher of Ryan's caliber to our roster," said Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias. "He has a proven track record of success in high-leverage situations, and we believe he'll be a perfect fit for our team as we look to get back to winning ways."

The acquisition comes at a crucial time for the Orioles. Their primary closer, Felix Bautista, is recovering from right shoulder surgery and is expected to miss the majority of the 2026 season. Bautista, who was the Mariano Rivera Award winner in 2023, was sidelined for all of 2024 following Tommy John surgery before returning to post a 2.60 ERA in 35 games in 2025.

Ryan Helsley delivering a pitch during his time with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he was a two-time All-Star.

Helsley's arrival provides stability to a Baltimore bullpen that was a major weakness in 2025. The Orioles finished last in the American League East with a 75-87 record, a stark contrast to their consecutive postseason berths in previous years. Despite his struggles down the stretch, Helsley's career numbers are impressive: a 2.96 ERA in 319⅔ innings with 377 strikeouts, 133 walks, and 105 saves.

Helsley's 2025 season was a tale of two halves. With the Cardinals, he posted a solid 3.00 ERA with 21 saves in 36 appearances. However, after being traded to the New York Mets at the deadline, he struggled significantly, posting a 7.20 ERA in 20 innings. The Orioles believe they're getting the pre-trade version of Helsley, whose stuff—including a fastball that averaged 99.3 mph in 2025—rates as some of the best in the game.

"We've seen the noise in his performance, but we've also seen the signal," Elias explained. "His underlying metrics suggest he's still an elite pitcher, and we're confident he can return to the form that made him one of the best closers in baseball."

The Orioles have been aggressive this offseason, already re-acquiring right-handed reliever Andrew Kittredge from the Cubs and acquiring slugger Taylor Ward in a trade with the Angels. However, their biggest need remains starting pitching, and they continue to pursue options to join Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish at the top of their rotation.

Helsley's deal represents a significant investment for an Orioles franchise that has been conservative in free agency. His contract is the second multi-year deal given to a free agent under Elias's tenure, following Tyler O'Neill's three-year, $49.5 million contract last winter.

As the Orioles look to return to contention in 2026, the addition of Helsley provides much-needed late-inning stability. If he can rediscover his 2024 form, the Orioles could have one of the most formidable bullpens in the American League, setting the stage for a potential return to the postseason.

For Helsley, the move represents an opportunity to re-establish himself as a premier closer and potentially opt out of his contract after 2026 to pursue a longer-term deal. For the Orioles, it's a calculated bet on a pitcher with elite stuff and a proven track of success, with the potential for significant rewards if he returns to form.