Former Mets RHP Ryan Helsley’s Surprising Two-Year Move to Orioles Sparks Major Buzz

Well, here’s a twist in the tale for Ryan Helsley, the right-hander who once wore the Mets’ jersey. After a bumpy ride in New York, he’s embarking on a fresh chapter with the Baltimore Orioles, locking in a two-year contract that intriguingly includes an opt-out clause after the first year. It’s a move that caught a lot of eyes, as Jeff Passan from ESPN first reported the news.

Despite suitors lining up, pondering whether to slot him into the rotation, Helsley is set to take on the ninth-inning role for a Orioles squad hungry to climb out of the AL East basement. At 31, he’s bringing what Baltimore desperately needs—a steady, reliable presence to close the door when it matters most. Remember, this guy once led the league with 49 saves for the Cardinals and was on fire before his trade to the Mets, where, well… things got a little rough due to pitch tipping issues.

But here’s the kicker: Helsley’s worked through those struggles, and he’s confident, no—determined, to reclaim that dominant form we all saw. “I still believe I can be who I want to be,” he told Katie Woo of the Athletic, “I’ve shown who I am as a pitcher, And I think there’s room for improvement, ways to get better and I get even more out of myself.” Baltimore fans may just be getting a gem who’s ready to rise again.

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Former Mets right-hander Ryan Helsley has a new home.

Helsley is signing with the Baltimore Orioles on a two-year deal, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

The deal includes an opt-out after the first season.

Despite fielding interest from numerous teams for a potential move to the rotation, Helsley will slot in as the ninth-inning man for the young and hungry Orioles, who are looking to rebounds from a last place finish in the AL East.

The 31-year-old gives them the steady and reliable arm late-inning arm they need.

Prior to his trade to the Big Apple, Helsley was one of the premier closers in baseball, leading the league with 49 saves for the Cardinals two years ago.

He was enjoying another strong first-half with St. Louis before being dealt to the Mets ahead of the deadline, and things quickly took a turn for the worse as he struggled with pitch-tipping.

The 31-year-old struggled to a 7.20 ERA and 1.80 WHIP across 22 appearances in orange and blue.

Now that he has things sorted out, though, he’s confident he can rebound to his dominant form.

“I still believe I can be who I want to be,” Helsley told Katie Woo of the Athletic. “I’ve shown who I am as a pitcher, And I think there’s room for improvement, ways to get better and I get even more out of myself.”