In order to become serious World Series and postseason competitors in the very competitive AL East, the Baltimore Orioles had to make some significant additions this winter.
To help complete the roster, they made a number of other additions, including Shane Baz, Pete Alonso, and Taylor Ward. One of their initial actions was to sign closer Ryan Helsley for $14 million.
Helsley was correctly identified by Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller as the Orioles’ “X-factor” for the 2026 campaign. The Orioles’ prospects will depend on Helsley’s ability to recover from such a difficult season after a terrible time with the New York Mets.
Orioles need Ryan Helsley to pitch better after bad Mets stint
“But for two months with the Mets, he was a disaster, blowing four saves, posting a 7.20 ERA, and contributing to New York’s collapse,” writes Miller. “Is he able to recover? Or will this be the O’s Craig Kimbrel 2.0?
With Helsley, Batlimore is taking a significant risk. However, it’s not always the bad choice. His prior output was excellent, but his time with the Mets, which included -0.9 bWAR in 22 games with a 7.20 ERA and a 0-3 record, was awful.
Helsley had a respectable 3.00 ERA in 36 games with the St. Louis Cardinals. He had an MLB-high 49 saves and a 2.04 ERA in 65 games the previous year; in 2023, he had a 2.45 ERA in 33 games. Helsley also recorded an amazing 1.25 ERA in 54 games in 2022.
In the Major Leagues, Helsley has shown himself to be a capable reliever. However, he went into a downhill spiral after being traded to the Mets, for whatever reason.
Helsley has a 2.67 ERA in 297 games with the Cardinals and a 7.20 ERA in 22 games with the Mets during his seven-year MLB career.
It’s difficult to overlook how excellent he was before that Mets production, which was his most recent endeavor. He is the Orioles’ biggest “X-factor” for the 2026 MLB season, which explains why they paid $14 million for him in 2026.
