Ryan Helsley Inks Deal to Be New Orioles Closer

November 29, 2025

The Baltimore Orioles have come to an agreement to sign two-time All-star closer Ryan Helsley to a two-year contract. The deal is worth $28 million and contains a player opt-out at the conclusion of the 2026 season. Helsley started the 2025 season with St. Louis Cardinals before being traded at the deadline to the New York Mets. Helsley joins the Orioles, who have been vocal about wanting to bring in an experienced closer this offseason to fill the void of the injured Felix Bautista.

The fireballer Helsley has picked up a reputation as one of the league’s premier late-inning relievers since his emergence in the Cardinals bullpen in 2022. His electric fastball has reached up to 104.2 MPH and his slider is wipeout with a SLG% of only .206 against it last season. In 2025, he spent the first half of the season in St. Louis before being dealt to the Mets. Between the two teams, he garnered a 4.50 ERA in 58 appearances with 21 saves in 30 chances. In 56 innings he amassed 63 strikeouts and 25 walks. He finished the season with a WHIP of 1.536.

A Tale of Two Seasons

While Helsley’s season statistics don’t stand out as exemplary, it is important to differentiate between his tenures in St. Louis and New York. Before the move to the Big Apple, Helsley held teams scoreless in 27 of his 36 (75%) outings, garnering a 3.00 ERA and a 72 ERA-minus. Over 36 innings, he struck out 41 batters and walked only 14. Additionally, he tallied 21 saves in 26 opportunities, only giving up four long balls. When comparing his time as a Cardinal to the rest of the National League he ranked better than league average in Scoreless Outing Pct, K%, K-BB%, HR%, and Save%.

After the move to New York however, Helsley performed as a shell of himself. A 7.20 ERA in 22 games with only a 63.6% Scoreless Outing Pct, a K% of 23.2 and a BB% of 11.6%, more than 3% higher than league average. During his time in Queens, Helsley frequently tipped his pitches, which may have contributed to his diminished performance.

Helsley’s Role In Baltimore

Orioles President of Baseball Operations Mike Elias has been very vocal about the team adding a veteran with closing experience this offseason.

“It’s at the top of our list, and we’re being very intentful in talking with those free agents,” Elias said earlier this offseason. “Our preference is to land an experienced closer this winter.”

Ryan Helsley fits that description like a glove. Over the last two seasons, Helsley has accrued 70 saves, leading the league in 2024 with an ERA of 2.04. With the injury to Felix Bautista likely sidelining him for most of if not the entirety of 2026, Helsley will be the closer in Camden Yards. The deal contains an opt-out after the 2026 season so the deal is low risk for both sides with the possibility of a Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year-level reward if he returns to the form we grew so accustomed to seeing him in as a Cardinal.