On Saturday afternoon, ESPNs Jeff Passan reported that the fellow American League East team agreed to a two-year contract with the hard-throwing right-handed pitcher. There is an opt-out after the first season.
Closer Ryan Helsley and the Baltimore Orioles have agreed to a two-year contract with an opt-out after the first season pending physical games, sources tell ESPN. Helsley, who sparked interest among teams to convert into a starter, will be the ninth-inning option for Baltimore.
Helsley was thought to be an option for the Blue Jays despite the rough season. The 31-year-old split the 2025 season between the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets, posting a 4.50 ERA and 4.14 FIP in 56 innings pitched. Helsley’s strikeout rate was well below his career norms, finishing 2025 with a 25 K% rate.
This is a departure from the norm for the flame-throwing right-hander, as he finished 2024 with a 2.04 ERA and 2.41 FIP in 66.1 innings pitched. His best season came in 2022, where he finished the season with a 1.25 ERA and 2.34 FIP in 64.2 innings pitched. Helsley also had a 39.3 K% rate in 2022.
Adding Helsley not only improves the Orioles’ bullpen in a stacked AL East, but also takes one of the better closer options off the market.
There are still a handful of relievers who can take over the slot role for the Jays, such as Edwin Díaz, Devin Williams, Robert Suárez and Pete Fairbanks, to name a few.
The Jays bullpen is still in good shape regardless of whether they spend big on a free agent reliever. Jeff Hoffman had a strong postseason, hitting the ninth-inning home run, while Yimi García’s return from injury would be helpful. They have a longman in Eric Lauer, while Louis Varland, Brendon Little, Braydon Fisher and Yariel Rodríguez are all capable of pitching in high-leverage situations.
Expect transactions to pick up as we get closer to the start of the Winter Meetings on December 7. While adding one or two relievers is a need for the Blue Jays, their biggest need is adding a big bat, such as signing Kyle Tucker or re-signing Bo Bichette.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
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