Ryan Helsley hasn’t started a game since 2019 — for Triple-A Memphis. The flamethrowing righty has spent his entire MLB career pitching out of the bullpen, even rising to elite closer status. But as he navigates free agency for the first time, a role change might be in order.
According to a report from The Athletic, multiple teams have expressed interest in the 31-year-old as a starting pitcher, including the Tigers.
From a business perspective, it could make sense for Helsley to consider the switch. For one, his stock is down after a rough 2025 season, during which he posted a 4.50 ERA — including a 7.20 ERA after joining the Mets in a July trade. That was a far cry from 2024, when he earned his second All-Star selection and won the 2024 Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year Award with 49 saves and a 2.04 ERA.
This year’s closer market is also especially deep, with Edwin Díaz, Devin Williams, Robert Suarez, Pete Fairbanks and Kenley Jansen among the other available options, making it tougher for Helsley to stand out.
In contrast, high-end starters are in shorter supply. So if Helsley is willing to consider a change, it could offer him more possibilities in free agency. He’s not the only one. Former starter turned reliever Brad Keller has similarly been linked to potential rotation opportunities, while Luke Weaver has said he is open to reprising his role as a starter, too.
Such a move is not without precedent. Seth Lugo, Michael King, Reynaldo López and Clay Holmes are among the pitchers who have made a successful transition from reliever to starter in recent years.
To follow in their footsteps, though, Helsley would likely need to expand his repertoire. He threw his slider and four-seamer a combined 92.9% of the time in 2025, while using his curveball (5.8%) and cutter (1.3%) sparingly. Moreover, his heater was largely ineffective last season. Despite throwing it 99.3 mph on average, he allowed a .422 batting average and a .667 slugging percentage on the pitch, posting a run value of -15.
