All-Star pitcher Ryan Helsley likely to serve as primary closer for St. Louis Cardinals following his arbitration
St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley lost his salary arbitration case against his own organization on Thursday, and will earn $2.15 million for the upcoming season instead of the $3 million that he filed for, Katie Woo of The Athletic reported.
Ryan Helsley lost his arbitration case, per a source. This was Helsley’s first arb-eligible season. He will make $2.15 million this season after filing for $3 million.
The #Cardinals have one arb case remaining (Genésis Cabrera). #STLCards
"Ryan Helsley lost his arbitration case, per a source. This was Helsley’s first arb-eligible season. He will make $2.15 million this season after filing for $3 million. The #Cardinals have one arb case remaining (Genésis Cabrera). #STLCards," - Katie Woo, Twitter
Helsley had asked for arbitration in his first year of eligibility on the back of a dominant 2022 regular season where he registered a 1.25 ERA with 94 strikeouts and 19 saves over 64.2 regular-season innings.
He was nowhere to be found during the postseason, however, and looked frail against the Philadelphia Phillies in the wild-card round.
And while it looks like the Cardinals were evidently able to successfully argue their case as to why one of the best relievers in baseball in 2022 isn’t worth the $3 million, Helsley is expected to serve as the primary closer in St. Louis throughout the upcoming campaign.
Ryan Helsley was an MLB All-Star in 2022
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Helsley was added to the Cardinals' 40-man roster after the 2018 season, where he made his MLB debut in 2019.
2022 was truly his breakthrough year, where Helsley finished with a first-half 5–1 record with a 0.73 ERA, 54 strikeouts, and seven saves over 37 innings.
A memorable pre-season run rewarded Helsley with an All-Star seat that year in Los Angeles. Helsley also famously pitched an immaculate inning against the Cincinnati Reds on Sept. 16, 2022, striking out Kyle Farmer, Jake Fraley and Donovan Solano in the ninth inning.
For the first time in his career, Ryan Helsley is an All-Star!
Congratulations, @_RHelsley! https://t.co/ClivIAndDF
"For the first time in his career, Ryan Helsley is an All-Star! Congratulations, @_RHelsley!" - St. Louis Cardinals, Twitter
While Helsley remains a truly special talent, the only elephant in the room right now is how well he is going to do next year, and whether he can give the Cardinals a serious push in their title charge.