The Baltimore Orioles and closer Ryan Helsley have reached a two-year deal, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
The contract carries an opt-out after the first year, reports Passan.
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.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 29, 2025
Passan also notes that Helsley fielded interest this off-season from teams open to turning him into a starter, but he is expected to remain in the ninth-inning role he’s held the last several seasons with the O’s.
Helsley, 31, had an up-and-down 2025, going from the St. Louis Cardinals to the New York Mets at the trade deadline. Helsley had a 3.00 ERA with 21 saves for the Cardinals in 36 appearances, but turned in a 7.20 ERA in 22 games with the Mets down the stretch of the season.
He spent his previous six seasons in St. Louis and led the National League in saves in 2024 with 49.
A native of Tahlequah, Okla., Helsley has a 2.96 career ERA in 297 regular-season games spread out over seven MLB seasons.