Why Ryan Helsley’s Mets Meltdown Could Spark a Surprising Career Revival with Rival Teams

You know, Ryan Helsley’s rocky wrap-up with the Mets might’ve left some scratching their heads, but guess what? It’s not putting a dent in his free agency buzz. Word on the street is, this hard-throwing right-hander has about 15 teams knocking on his door — talk about demand. Sure, the tail-end of his season wasn’t exactly highlight reel material — a rough patch with a 7.20 ERA that had plenty to do with his struggles with pitch tipping. Helsley himself admitted it was the toughest test he’s faced in the big leagues. But here’s the kicker: he’s got it straightened out now and is ready to reclaim that dominant swagger, and maybe even in a fresh role on the mound. Several clubs are reportedly intrigued by the idea of tapping him as a starter — a move Helsley’s open to, even if it means climbing a learning curve similar to what we saw with Clay Holmes last season. The Tigers are among the suitors, with the Cardinals and Cubs also circling. Helsley insists he’s got plenty left in the tank and can surprise us all yet again. Dive deeper into the full story LEARN MORE.

It appears Ryan Helsley’s forgettable finish with the Mets isn’t hurting him in free agency.

Helsley is drawing interest from about 15 teams, according to a recent report from Katie Woo of the Athletic.

The right-hander, of course, has been one of the premier closers in baseball the past few seasons, but he struggled mightily down the stretch after being acquired from the Cardinals in a deadline deal.

He posted an ugly 7.20 ERA over 22 appearances as he dealt with pitch-tipping issues.

“It was the hardest thing I’ve gone through as a pitcher in the big leagues,” Helsley told Woo.

Now that he’s got things sorted out, Helsley is confident he can get back to his dominant form wherever he lands.

He could be doing so in a new role too, as according to numerous reports some teams have called the long-time closer about a potential transition to the starting rotation.

While Helsley expects a bit of a learning curve along the way, as Mets fans saw at times with Clay Holmes last season, it’s a move he told Woo he would consider if the opportunity arises.

“I still have a lot to give and can get even better,” he said. “I’ve shown what I can do as a closer — it’s a fun time to be in the game, it’s the most important three outs, but I still think I’m capable to be a starter.”

The Tigers are among the teams considering Helsley as a starter.

St. Louis and the division rival Cubs have also checked in on the hard-throwing right-hander.