Blue Jays division rival signs coveted free agent closer to a two-year contract
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The Baltimore Orioles have signed free agent closer Ryan Helsley to two-year $28 Million contract.
According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, the Orioles have signed free agent closer Ryan Helsley.
Closer Ryan Helsley and the Baltimore Orioles are in agreement on a two-year contract with an opt-out after the first season, pending physical, sources tell ESPN. Helsley, who fielded interest from teams to convert to a starter, will be the ninth-inning option for Baltimore.
The Blue Jays were interested in Helsley last winter when he was with the Cardinals, but the Mets wanted him more as they traded three prospects for Helsley for only one season of his services.
Helsley one of the top coveted relievers available on the market
The deal will pay Helsley $28MM in total, as per The Athletic's Katie Woo.
Ryan Helsley's deal with the Orioles is for two years, $28 million and includes a player opt-out after the first year.
Helsley racked up 105 saves as the Cardinals' primary ninth-inning choice from 2022-25.
This stretch saw Helsley named to two NL All-Star teams, he was the NL's Reliever Of The Year in 2024, and he even received some down-ballot Cy Young Award consideration in both 2022 and 2024.
Overall, Helsley posted a 2.67 ERA, 29.12% strikeout rate, and 9.93% walk rate over 299 2/3 innings in a St. Louis uniform, from his debut with the team in 2019 until he was traded to the Mets at last July's trade deadline.
Given the Cardinals' struggles over the last few seasons and Helsley's looming free agency, it was seen as a surprise that Helsley wasn't moved last winter, when his value was at a peak coming off his excellent 2024 campaign.
The midseason deal to New York saw the Cards still pick up three prospects, and the deal has to ultimately be considered a win for St. Louis given how things went south for Helsley with the Mets.
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