Ryan Helsley signed a free agent contract with the Baltimore Orioles for 2 yr/$28 M with an opt-out after one year. That's pretty rich for a guy who sported a 4.50 ERA with 9 Blown Saves in 2025. Let's break it down:
Ryan Helsley RHP. DOB: 7/18/1994. 6' 2", 235 lbs.
2025: 3-4, 4.50, 56 IP, 10.13 K/9, 4.02 BB/9, 21 Saves, 9 Blown Saves, .342 BABIP, 14.5 HR/FB%, 1.29 GB/FB, 7.4 Barrel %, 41.7 Hard Hit %, 4.14 FIP.
Helsley throws hundos and has been an elite closer but got roughed up in 2025. On the surface this would appear to be due to bad BABIP luck but if you dig down a bit, he also has a significant bump up in Barrel % and Hard Hit %, so for some reason he became more hittable and it was probably not just due to the whims of the BABIP gods. The Orioles disappointing season was largely due to a bullpen failure. With Felix Bautista not due back until August at the earliest, signing an established Closer became a priority. The Orioles obviously believe that Helsley's rough season was mostly due to bad luck and are counting on a bounce back.
Yet another reason not to attempt to sign a lockdown closer.
ReplyDeleteHelsley had pitch tipping issues in NY that he was not able to fix. It is not all “BABIP luck”.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the Orioles think they can fix his pitch tipping?
DeleteHelsley's hard-hit rate increase suggests pitch-tipping was involved.
DeleteWould you trade Ramos for 1 year of Brandon Lowe? If yes, but TB wanted more, would you throw in a 2Bman (presumably Schmitt)?
ReplyDeleteNo, I would not trade Ramos for Lowe because it opens another hole in the roster they can't obviously fill from within the organization.
DeleteIt's funny...folks seem really down on Heliot Ramos, though he was in several ways our most consistent hitter, and certainly one of our best. He's cost controlled, his issues (base running, improvable defense, sophomore slumps) are of the "fixable" variety, and he's young and has room to get better over time. Plus, how long has it been since someone other than Bonds "took over" LF?!
ReplyDeleteI also think folks need to account for the fact that a lackluster offense pulls down the stats of the best hitters in the lineup. For several stretches of the season, Ramos was the ONLY guy getting hits nightly..if I remember correctly.
I think if you're going to make the playoffs from the NL West, guys like Heliot will be needed: developed MLB products, low cost with big skills from the minor leagues.
Ramos was very good on a very mediocre team...
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