BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Orioles have officially signed free agent right-handed relief pitcher Ryan Helsley.
According to MLB.com, this two-year contract is valued at $28 million.
The organization is optimistic that Helsley can step into the crucial closer role, following the injury sustained by Félix Bautista.
Executives are looking to leverage the 31-year-old’s impressive stint with the St. Louis Cardinals from 2022 to 2024.
During that span, Helsley was named an All-Star twice and recorded a remarkable 1.83 ERA, along with 82 saves across 152 appearances.
However, last season told a different story.
After notching 21 saves in 36 games for St. Louis, Helsley was traded to the New York Mets, where he faced significant challenges, ending with a troubling 7.20 ERA.
In those 20 innings pitched, he allowed 25 hits, and batters hit over .300 against him.
This signing marks yet another bold move by Orioles President of Baseball Operations, Mike Elias.
Just under two weeks ago, Elias executed a surprising trade, sending Grayson Rodriguez to the Angels in exchange for outfielder Taylor Ward.
Rodriguez, at 26 years old, had team control until 2029, while Ward, now 31, is in the final year of his contract, earning nearly $14 million annually.
Though Elias has praised Ward for his power potential—evidenced by 38 home runs in 2025—he also has to contend with Ward’s .228 batting average, which included 175 strikeouts.
Elias has previously attempted to fill Bautista’s role. For example, in 2024, he signed veteran closer Craig Kimbrel to a one-year, $12 million deal that did not pan out as expected.
Before the 2025 season commenced, Elias invested $72.25 million in free agency, bringing in 41-year-old Charlie Morton and 37-year-old Kyle Gibson, both starters who ended up costing the team over $20 million, despite neither being on the roster by the season’s conclusion.
Additionally, Tyler O’Neill, whom Elias hoped would add significant power to the lineup, ended up batting below .200 with merely nine home runs, while earning around $16.5 million.
Following a disappointing last-place finish in 2025, the Orioles have appointed Craig Albernaz as their new manager, with hopes of revitalizing the team.
