Baltimore’s signing of Ryan Helsley may have just changed everything

The Baltimore Orioles had a losing season in 2025. The team went 75-87, missing the playoffs and finishing with the fourth-worst record in the American League. But Baltimore is not far from success. Before losing last season, the Orioles had made back-to-back playoff appearances and even topped the AL with 101 wins in 2023.

Baltimore is focused on a comeback in 2026. And the team’s bench could help lead the offense. The The Orioles signed Ryan Helsley to a two-year, $28 million free agency deal. The 2024 NL Rookie of the Year will take over closing duties in Baltimore.

Helsley’s addition was necessary with Felix Bautista is expected to miss the 2026 campaign. The Orioles’ All-Star closer required surgery to repair a torn labrum and rotator cuff. He is expected to be sidelined for at least a year.

The Orioles commit to a turnaround in 2026 by adding a bullpen

The Orioles have been proactive in addressing their closer situation. While Baltimore could be content to take a gradual approach with the closer role during Bautista’s injury absence, the team will instead turn to Helsley. The seven-year veteran is just one season away from leading the way with 49 saves and finished ninth in NL Cy Young voting.

While Helsley struggled following last year’s midseason trade to the New York Mets, he represents a significant upgrade over any in-house replacement Baltimore had for Bautista. Despite a brutal two-month stint with the Mets, Helsley attracted significant interest in free agency. Teams believe the issues that arose during his time in New York are solvable and he can return to form.

Baltimore also acquired Andrew Kittredge in a trade with the Chicago Cubs this offseason. The Orioles brought back the veteran reliever just three months after sending him to Chicago at the trade deadline.

Helsley and Kittredge will join righty prospect Cade Stroud and veteran lefty Keegan Akin in Baltimore’s bullpen. Stroud is coming off a successful rookie season and Aikin showed his potential in 2024 with a 3.32 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 97 strikeouts in 78.2 innings for Baltimore.

Obviously, there is still work to be done for the team to rebound in 2026. But the Orioles already added Taylor Ward in a trade with the Angels. And Baltimore has come up in conversations about some of the best free agents in baseball – Tatuya Imai, Pete Alonso and even Kyle Tucker.

The moves the Orioles make over the winter will ultimately determine whether a turnaround is possible. But while relief pitching was a major concern entering the offseason, Baltimore’s bullpen has suddenly become a bright spot.