St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley on going through arbitration process after superb 2022 season: "They still find ways to tell you, you stink"
St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley went to arbitration with the team this offseason and lost. He is not eligible for free agency until 2026, meaning that he had to go head-to-head with Cardinals management in front of an impartial mediator in order to get a raise.
He was seeking $3 million for 2023, but the team was offering just $2.15 million. While less than $1 million seems like pocket change to most ballclubs these days, teams will fight tooth-and-nail against players in the arbitration process. Often, the process stokes hard feelings between players and their employers, and most players dread the experience.
The MLB players on #FTLive all agree: arbitration is really weird
@_RHelsley talks about his arbitration process with the Cardinals: "I felt like I did some pretty good things last year, and they still find ways to tell you, you stink"
Full interview: youtu.be/XGGvpXrE5bA https://t.co/Iv5nPrxT08
Helsley discussed arbitration on "Foul Territory," relaying the opinions of many ballplayers regarding the arbitration process:
"I felt like I did some pretty good things last year, and they still find ways to tell you, you stink."
Helsley, in his fourth major league season, went 9-1 with 19 saves and a 1.25 ERA in 2022, providing the team with a solid closer after a few seasons where the back end of the bullpen was in flux. He also made his first All-Star Game.
However, the St. Louis Cardinals retorted that Helsley pitched in just 54 games in 2022, after pitching in just 51 games the previous season because of knee and elbow injuries. Helsley told MLB that the lengths the team went to in order to prove their case caught him by surprise, telling MLB.com:
"They questioned durability and stuff like that, but then we pointed to me leading the (National) League in four-plus-out saves and that kind of shut that argument down really quick. Can’t really expect guys to go back-to-back days when you’re throwing 30-plus pitches the night before."
The St. Louis Cardinals also brought up Helsley blowing the save in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series, when he was charged with four of the six runs the team allowed in the ninth inning of a 6-2 loss.
Helsley says he holds no ill will towards St. Louis Cardinals
Despite the sour feelings of the arbitration process, Helsley told MLB.com that he doesn't hold any ill will towards the Cardinals:
"It’s tough, but you understand the process of it all. As players, we wish it was a little different. Hopefully, there won’t be a next time with this. Yesterday is history, right? So, just take each day as a new opportunity and commit to this team and try to help us win games. That’s all I can ask for, and I’m excited to help the guys."