Ryan Helsley’s standout time with the Mets hasn’t diminished his appeal in free agency. According to Katie Wu of The Athletic, around 15 teams have shown interest in the right-handed pitcher.
Though Helsley has been one of baseball’s top closers in recent years, he struggled significantly towards the end of the season after joining the Mets on a loan. He recorded a rough 7.20 ERA over 22 games while dealing with pitching chip problems. Helsley described that period as “the hardest thing I’ve ever been through as a major league pitcher” in an interview with Wu.
Now that he’s resolved those issues, Helsley is optimistic about returning to his dominant performance, regardless of where he signs. Interestingly, several teams have contacted him about a potential transition from closer to starting pitcher.
While fans saw some growing pains during his stint with the Mets, Helsley remains open to the change, having told Wu last season that he would consider starting if given the chance. He stated, “I still have a lot to do and I can get better. I’ve shown what I can do as a closer. It’s a fun time to be in the game, and the three outs are the most important, but I still think I have the ability to be a starter.”
Among the interested teams are the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago Cubs, the latter being a divisional rival of St. Louis.
Fan Take: Helsley’s potential shift from closer to starter represents an exciting evolution in a pitcher’s career, offering teams versatility and fans a fresh narrative to follow. This development highlights how player adaptability can impact team strategies and could lead to more dynamic pitching roles in baseball’s future.
