Hey Birdland and welcome to another work week after the extended Thanksgiving break.

Hope many of you had a great time with your family as I did. Now back to the business of baseball, which of course continued even during the long weekend.

The O’s reached agreement on two-year deal with right-hander Ryan Helsley on Saturday afternoon.

Yes he pitched to a 4.50 ERA for the Mets and Cardinals last year. But over a three-year run fron 2022 through 2024 he posted a 1.83 ERA and 82 saves.

Twice in that span he got National League Cy Young votes, finishing 12th in 2022 and ninth for that award in 2024.

Few more notes on Helsley:

He has been on the injured list just four times in his career.

He was the longest-tenured Cardinal at the time of the trade.

He is one of three Cardinals to ever throw an Immaculate Inning. He did so on Sept. 16, 2022 versus Cincinnati, joining Bob Gibson and Jason Isringhausen in St. Louis history.

He is one of three St. Louis closers to make more than one All-Star team joining Lee Smith and Bruce Sutter. Helsley made the All-Star teams in 2022 and 2024.

During the 2024 season, when he led the majors with 49 saves, he was named NL Reliever of the Month three times. He won that honor in April, June and September.

A fifth-round pick of the Cards in 2015, he turns 32 on July 18.

Let’s get your take in the comments below on this addition and how the O’s bullpen is coming together for next season. Plus feel free to pass on any O’s comments or questions.

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