BALTIMORE — The Orioles seem to have landed their nearer for the 2026 season because the begin to their aggressive offseason continued Saturday afternoon.
Baltimore has agreed with right-hander Ryan Helsley on a two-year contract value $28 million, sources confirmed to MLB.com. The deal, which options an opt-out after the primary season, has not been introduced by the membership and is pending a bodily.
Helsley, 31, is a two-time All-Star and seven-year MLB veteran who has pitched for the Cardinals (2019-25) and the Mets (‘25). He owns a 2.96 ERA with 105 saves over 297 profession appearances, all in reduction.
In 2024, Helsley gained the Trevor Hoffman Award as the very best reliever within the Nationwide League and earned first-team All-MLB honors. He recorded an MLB-high 49 saves and posted a 2.04 ERA in 66 1/3 innings over 65 video games that yr.
This previous season, Helsley had a 3.00 ERA and 21 saves in 36 outings for the Cardinals, who then traded the righty to the Mets on July 30. He was not as efficient throughout his transient tenure in New York, recording a 7.20 ERA in 22 video games whereas working as a setup man slightly than as a more in-depth. Helsley labored by means of pitch-tipping points to complete the season with seven scoreless innings over his remaining six appearances.
However Helsley has confirmed he generally is a dominant ninth-inning arm, particularly throughout his three-year peak with St. Louis from 2022-24. He had a 1.83 ERA and 82 saves over 152 appearances throughout that span, being named an All-Star in each ‘22 and ‘24.
There had been some buzz earlier this offseason that groups may need curiosity in Helsley as a starter. Nonetheless, the Orioles will hope he will be an environment friendly fill-in for nearer Félix Bautista, who’s recovering from proper shoulder surgical procedure and gained’t be an choice for Baltimore till late August or September on the earliest.
The Orioles have lengthy most well-liked to have a set nearer slightly than taking a committee method. When Bautista was out in 2024, the crew signed veteran Craig Kimbrel to a one-year deal. Kimbrel was efficient at first, however he completed the season with a 5.33 ERA in 57 video games and bought designated for task in mid-September.
Baltimore will hope to get higher outcomes from Helsley in a bullpen that will likely be with out Bautista for many (if not all) of 2026.
President of baseball operations Mike Elias laid out the Orioles’ want record on the Normal Managers Conferences in Las Vegas earlier this month, and he has wasted little time checking off the gadgets on his agenda. It’s unsurprising, contemplating Baltimore was anticipated to be lively this offseason in an try and shortly bounce again from its disappointing 75-87 exhibiting in 2025.
Ward is anticipated to be an influence bat within the coronary heart of the Orioles’ lineup, which wanted a veteran presence and extra right-handed thump. Taveras generally is a depth piece behind Colton Cowser, who’s the possible starter in middle with Ward possible taking up in left.
Helsley ought to function the nearer in a bullpen that might nonetheless use a number of extra high-leverage items, strikes which may come down the road later this offseason. The O’s beforehand reacquired right-handed setup man Andrew Kittredge in a commerce with the Cubs on Nov. 4.
However Baltimore’s high precedence from right here will likely be beginning pitching. The crew is out there for a number of arms, together with one to fit into the highest half of the rotation alongside Kyle Bradish and Trevor Rogers.
