Helsley signed a two-year, $28 million contract with the Orioles on Saturday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Helsley's new deal will also give him the ability to opt out after the first season. Multiple teams were pursuing the right-hander with hopes of converting him to a starter, but Passan states that Helsley will remain in a closing role upon joining the Orioles. The 31-year-old got off to a strong start this past season in St. Louis, posting a 3.00 ERA and 1.39 WHIP alongside 41:14 K:BB across 36 innings and tallying 21 saves. He then regressed considerably after being traded to the Mets and finished the year giving up 16 earned runs over his final 20 frames. Despite his poor finish, Helsley still boasts a career 2.96 ERA and is just one year removed from tallying an MLB-high 49 saves in 2024, keeping him worthy of fantasy attention next season.

Helsley has received inquiries from teams about transitioning to the rotation, but he is more comfortable in a closer's role, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Roughly 15 teams have contacted the free agent righty, per the report, and the Tigers view Helsley as a potential starting pitcher. He is considering adding a two-seamer or changeup to his arsenal in 2026 to be less predictable, and another pitch would aid him in a move to the rotation, but Helsley has been a reliever for the last six years. "I know what I'm capable of as a reliever," Helsley said. "I think I still have a lot to give and can get even better. I've shown what I can do as a closer when I'm in that role. It's a really fun time to be in the game. It's the most important three outs of the game, but I still think I'm capable and able to be a starter."

Helsley thinks his struggles since joining the Mets are a result of tipping pitches, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports. "I think I know how to fix it," the right-hander said Thursday. "So it's just being able to enforce that and that being my mental norm versus what I was doing to get my body to accept that and reinforce that."

EDGE Analysis

The former Cardinals closer has a brutal 10.38 ERA, 2.31 WHIP and 11:7 K:BB in 8.2 innings with the Mets, and he's been tagged with multiple earned runs in four of his last six appearances. "It definitely stinks," Helsley said. "I've never gone through anything like this in my career." He's still looking for his first hold for New York after being acquired at the trade deadline to be the top set-up man for Edwin Diaz, instead taking three losses and getting charged with four blown saves.

Helsley took a blown save Tuesday against Philadelphia, allowing two runs on one hit and two walks in one-third of an inning. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

The blown save was Helsley's ninth of the year and his fourth with the Mets, making him 0-for-4 on save opportunities since landing with his new team. The hard-throwing right-hander now has a disastrous 10.38 ERA, 2.31 WHIP and 11:7 K:BB over 8.2 innings for New York. Given his struggles, it wouldn't be surprising to see the club use Helsley in lower-leverage situations until he bounces back.

Helsley (3-3) took the loss Thursday against Atlanta, giving up two runs on two hits and a walk in an inning of relief. He failed to strike out a batter.

EDGE Analysis

Called upon to protect a 3-2 lead in the eighth inning, Helsley issued a one-out walk before serving up back-to-back doubles to Michael Harris and Ozzie Albies. Helsley has had a rough start to his tenure as Edwin Diaz's main setup man, coughing up seven runs (albeit only three earned) over six appearances and five innings while getting charged with two blown saves and two losses. The Mets won't give up on the trade-deadline acquisition, but Helsley could begin to cede eighth-inning duties to other relievers until he gets back on track.

Helsley gave up two hits and struck out three in a scoreless ninth inning during Friday's extra-inning loss to the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Acquired from the Cardinals at the trade deadline, Helsley was impressive in his Mets debut, with seven of his 16 pitches (14 strikes) topping 100 mph. The right-hander will immediately slot in as the top setup man in front of closer Edwin Diaz, and while Helsley had a shaky start to his 2025 campaign, he's been in elite form over the last six weeks or so, posting a 0.75 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 14:2 K:BB over his last 12 innings.

The Cardinals traded Helsley to the Mets on Wednesday in exchange for Jesus Baez, Nate Dohm and Frank Elissalt, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

After making a move for Tyler Rogers earlier in the day, the Mets will bring in another quality high-leverage arm in Helsley, who currently boasts a 3.00 ERA through 36 innings and has notched 21 saves this season. With Edwin Diaz already firmly established as the Mets' closer, Helsley will likely join Rogers in working as a setup man in Queens.

Helsley was awarded the save Friday against the Padres, allowing one hit and striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

Called upon to protect a three-run lead, Helsley worked around a single to notch his 21st save of the season and second in as many nights. While the 31-year-old has had some hiccups this year, converting 21 of 26 save opportunities, he's been sharp recently, giving up just one earned run across his last 10 appearances, as the Cardinals continue to lean on him in high-leverage spots.

Helsley struck out two and allowed a hit in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Thursday against the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander picked up his first save since July 13 and has converted seven straight chances, giving up just one earned run across his past 10 appearances. In 2025, Helsley has rarely looked like the closer that led the league with 49 saves last season, but he's still expected to garner significant interest on the trade market with a 3.09 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 39:14 K:BB over 35 innings this year.

Helsley allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless inning while earning a save against Atlanta on Sunday. He struck out one batter.

EDGE Analysis

Helsley put two runners on base with no outs but escaped the jam and finished off the 5-4 win. After blowing three straight chances in early June, he's converted six straight while allowing only one run over his last eight outings. Helsley owns a 3.27 ERA and a 36:14 K:BB while converting 19 of his 24 save chances this season.