Addition of Helsley fortifies Orioles’ bullpen for 2026

Since the 2025 season ended, the Orioles have added two key pieces to their bullpen. Right-hander Andrew Kittredge, who was one of four relievers traded in July, was reacquired from the Chicago Cubs. On Saturday, it was reported that the Orioles had reached an agreement on a two-year, $28 million contract with right-hander Ryan Helsley.

With Félix Bautista out for much if not all of the 2026 season after labrum and rotator cuff surgery, the Orioles are going to need a closer, and Helsley should be the ninth-inning reliever.

Helsley was traded from the St. Louis Cardinals to the New York Mets on July 30^th, and as a result wasn’t eligible for a qualifying offer. He was 0-3 with a 7.20 ERA with the Mets after going 3-1 with a 3.00 ERA with 21 saves for the Cardinals.

Kittredge and Helsley were teammates with St. Louis in 2024.

The Orioles have 38 players on the 40-man roster, so that when Helsley’s deal is made official after he passes a physical, the Orioles won’t have to make a move.

Last July, the Orioles traded Kittredge, right-handers Bryan Baker and Seranthony Domínguez and left-hander Gregory Soto for prospects. Now, they’re rebuilding the bullpen.

Besides Helsley and Kittredge, the Orioles retained left-hander Keegan Akin and right-hander Yennier Cano, who are both eligible for arbitration. They also re-signed left-hander Dietrich Enns and right-hander Rico Garcia.

Kade Strowd, who had a 1.71 ERA in 25 games, 19 after the trade deadline, remains on the 40-man roster.

Other relievers on the 40-man roster are Yaramil Hiraldo, Colin Selby and Grant Wolfram, all of whom finished the 2025 season on the Orioles’ active roster.

Right-handers Jose Espada, who threw three innings in his only appearance for the Orioles, and George Soriano, claimed off waivers from Miami, are on the 40-man roster. So are right-handers Cameron Foster and Anthony Nunez, acquired in trades from the New York Mets at the deadline.

Chayce McDermott, who was converted from a starter to a reliever, is also a consideration.

Helsley, who was excellent for the Cardinals, had a rough time with the Mets, blowing all four save opportunities. He did finish the season with seven straight scoreless innings, allowing three hits.

President of baseball operations Mike Elias has moved quickly this offseason, acquiring power-hitting outfielder Taylor Ward for starter Grayson Rodriguez and strengthening the bullpen.

“We’re trying to make an external addition there, so working on that right now,” Elias said on November 20^th. “I can’t say things with 100 percent certainty, but we’re making every effort to make external additions to the bullpen and in particular an experienced ninth-inning guy if we can.”

The heavy lifting will be signing or trading for additional starters to augment Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Tyler Wells and Dean Kremer. The Orioles also have Cade Povich and Brandon Young as starting options.

Last year, the Orioles reached agreements with outfielder Tyler O’Neill and catcher Gary Sánchez the night before the Winter Meetings began. Those signings were made official during the Winter Meetings. This year, the meetings begin on December 7^th in Orlando.

It will be intriguing to see if the Orioles seek to add additional relievers on major league contracts, but now the attention turns to the search for starters.

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