Report: Orioles, Helsley agree to 2-year, $28M deal
The Baltimore Orioles have found a new closer in free agency.
The Orioles and two-time All-Star reliever Ryan Helsley agreed to a two-year, $28-million contract with an opt-out clause after the first season, a source told Katie Woo of The Athletic.
Helsley is projected to take over as the club's closer with Félix Bautista expected to miss almost the entire 2026 season after undergoing shoulder surgery in August.
The 31-year-old Helsley received plenty of interest on the open market, with about 15 teams checking in on the veteran right-hander, according to Woo.
The Detroit Tigers reportedly talked to Helsley about converting the hurler into a starting pitcher.
Helsley authored a 4.50 ERA with 21 saves and 10.1 K/9 over 58 appearances between the New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals in 2025. He struggled with the Mets after a trade deadline move, giving up 16 earned runs over 20 innings.
However, Helsley posted a 1.83 ERA with 12 K/9 between 2022 and 2024, including an MLB-high 49 saves with the Cardinals last year.