The Baltimore Orioles have taken a major step toward rebuilding their bullpen, reaching an agreement with closer Ryan Helsley on a two-year, $28 million contract. The deal includes an opt-out clause after the first season, allowing the 31-year-old right-hander to test free agency again after 2026.
Despite receiving interest from multiple teams regarding a starting role, Helsley chose to remain a closer—a position that has earned him two All-Star nods. The Orioles are banking on his high-octane “stuff” to stabilize the ninth inning, specifically looking past a rocky stint with the New York Mets late in the 2025 season where he posted a 7.20 ERA. Baltimore’s front office sees his 99th-percentile fastball velocity (averaging 99.3 mph) as a sign that he can return to his dominant form.
Earlier this offseason Helsley was being considered an option for the rotation in Detroit.
This move is critical for Baltimore, coming off a disappointing 75-87 last-place finish. With incumbent closer Felix Bautista expected to miss the 2026 season due to shoulder surgeries, Helsley will anchor a new-look relief corps that also includes the reacquired Andrew Kittredge.
