There are tangible items on Paul Toboni’s offseason shopping list, specific pieces the Nationals’ new president of baseball operations needs to acquire before his roster is ready to take the field in 2026. First baseman. Starting pitcher. Multiple relievers. Perhaps another catcher. There’s also an intangible item that should be high on Toboni’s li

The media’s fascination with baseball closers and the mentality required to succeed at the job runs at such a high level that Ryan Helsley was asked about it twice yesterday during his introductory video call. Helsley has looked at pitching life from many sides, working as a starter at Northeastern State University in Oklahoma and in the minors, be

The Orioles were aggressive in their pursuit of free-agent closer Ryan Helsley, and he used the same approach to decide whether they were the right team for him. Helsley met with club officials, reached out to former teammates with the Cardinals who also played for the Orioles, spoke with a friend who knows new manager Craig Albernaz. Helsley did h

Any discussion of the Nationals’ top offseason needs has to begin with proven hitter to anchor the heart of the lineup (preferably a power-hitting first baseman) and a proven starting pitcher to take some pressure off the club’s promising young arms. Don’t overlook the need for more bullpen help, though, because this team could certainly use it. Th

There isn’t a Grayson Rodriguez or a DL Hall in the Orioles’ minor league system. That’s now true for the major leagues, too.  For years, Rodriguez and Hall were touted as the future of Baltimore’s rotation. Both were among the 100 best prospects in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline, with Rodriguez even entering the 2022 season as the highest-ran

New closer Ryan Helsley passed his physical with the Orioles, signed his two-year, $28 million contract and awaits the opportunity to field questions from the media. Half the league reportedly had expressed some level of interest in Helsley. What made him decide on the Orioles? How much did the opt-out clause sway him? I wouldn’t expect him to go i

Not long after Mike Rizzo was fired but long before Paul Toboni took over baseball operations, the Nationals made a flurry of significant transactions this summer. When it came time for baseball’s annual trade deadline, it was Mike DeBartolo calling the shots as interim general manager, entrusted to make several moves of consequence only weeks afte

The signing of reliever Ryan Helsley to a two-year contract with an opt-out clause increases the Orioles’ 40-man roster to 39 players. Twenty-two are pitchers, with three catchers, seven infielders and seven outfielders. There’s room for the Orioles to make a selection in the Rule 5 draft on Dec. 10 that wraps up the Winter Meetings in Orlando, but

Closer Ryan Helsley has passed his physical and signed his contract with the Orioles. Helsley agreed to terms over the weekend on a two-year, $28 million deal with an opt-out after 2026. The right-handed will receive a $500,000 bonus if he’s traded, according to The Athletic. The Orioles announced the signing tonight but only confirmed the years an

The Orioles today announced that they have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher RYAN HELSLEY on a two-year major league contract for the 2026-27 seasons with a player opt-out following 2026. Helsley, 31, is a two-time All-Star and the 2024 Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year. He went 3-4 with 21 saves, a 4.50 ERA (28 ER/56.0 IP