Ninth-Inning Reset: What Baltimore’s New Bullpen Anchor Means for the Orioles in 2026
The addition of Ryan Helsley gives the Orioles a badly needed anchor to their 2026 bullpen and instantly clarifies how the late innings are likely to look without Félix Bautista. By signing Helsley to a two-year, $28 million deal with an opt-out after the first season, Baltimore effectively bought a proven, high-octane closer to stabilize the ninth inning while Bautista rehabs from major shoulder surgery that could cost him most or all of 2026. In practical terms, that means the bullpen no longer has to function as a committee at the very back end, reducing strain on matchups and protecting younger or unproven arms from being pushed into roles they may not be ready to handle. For a team that has built its competitive identity around run prevention and deep pitching, plugging that specific hole shifts the entire staff’s risk profile in a positive direction.
Helsley’s presence also reshapes the leverage ladder in front of him, starting with Andrew Kittredge, who was acquired in a trade with the Chicago Cubs on November 4th and projects as a primary setup weapon. Kittredge brings closing experience and a track record of handling the toughest pockets of a lineup, allowing the Orioles to deploy him in the eighth or even seventh against the heart of the order, knowing Helsley is waiting to slam the door in the ninth. That trickle-down effect lets other relievers slide into more natural assignments: right-handers who might have been stretched into de facto setup roles instead become seventh-inning or matchup specialists, and multi-inning arms can focus on bridging shorter starts rather than chasing saves. Combined with a rotation capable of missing bats and working deeper into games, the front office is clearly trying to create a shorter, more consistent path from the starter to Helsley and Kittredge instead of stitching together the endgame on a nightly basis.
The opt-out baked into Helsley’s contract adds an intriguing layer beyond simply identifying him as the 2026 closer. If Helsley dominates, he can walk away after one year, potentially cashing in while the Orioles either get a healthier Bautista back or decide whether to pay again for premium relief. If his performance is more uneven or injuries reappear, Baltimore is committed to a second season at a still-manageable price for a high-leverage reliever, which would give them a reliable bridge even if Bautista’s recovery timeline stretches further. That structure makes Helsley feel like a targeted solution for a specific contention window rather than a permanent identity change at closer, reinforcing the idea that Bautista, if healthy, still looms as part of the long-term plan.
Despite those positives, the configuration still suggests the Orioles should strongly consider adding one more high-leverage arm this offseason. Both Helsley and Kittredge carry notable injury histories, and Bautista will be rehabbing from significant shoulder surgery, meaning the back end of the bullpen rests on talent with medical red flags. A third, durable late-inning option, ideally someone with closing or high-leverage experience and swing-and-miss stuff, would give the Orioles’ new manager, Craig Albernaz, and front office crucial margin for error if either Helsley or Kittredge spends time on the injured list or simply hits a rough patch. Given that the rest of the projected 2026 bullpen skews toward middle-relief and depth types rather than established stoppers, an extra proven piece could be the difference between a relief corps that looks strong on paper and one that actually withstands the grind of a full season and a potential postseason run.
One more high-leverage addition would also allow the Orioles to lean more aggressively into matchup-based strategy without overexposing anyone. With Helsley locked into the ninth most nights, Kittredge could be deployed more flexibly as a true fireman, entering in the seventh or eighth when leverage peaks, while a third late-inning reliever handles whichever inning remains. That structure would keep internal arms in more insulated roles, give younger relievers space to develop, and soften the blow of inevitable injuries over six months. In that sense, Helsley’s signing is both a solution and a starting point: it answers the biggest bullpen question for 2026, but it also sharpens the argument that Baltimore is still one more impact reliever away from having a postseason-caliber late-game group even without Bautista.
