Ryan Helsey ... starting pitcher?

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David Panian

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Nov 23, 2025, 8:58:44 PMNov 23
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It appears that the Tigers and others are interested in converting free agent closer Ryan Helsley into a starter:


That could be an interesting move. Maybe they'd have him in the bullpen this year, then switch him to the rotation next year since it's unlikely that Skubal, Mize and Flaherty all will be back. They could even give him some spot starts or opener appearances to start to stretch him out.

David

Peter Welch

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Nov 24, 2025, 10:32:56 AMNov 24
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Helsley was awful with the Mets after being traded to them at the deadline this year.  He wasn't that good with the Cardinals this year either.  There was something off with him this year but no mention of an injury (yes, I have some sour grapes since he was the closer on my fantasy team and helped tank my team in the 2nd half).

There was talk the Tigers were interested in trading for Helsley at the deadline this year, but the Tigers did better trading for Finnegan instead.
Finnegan was much better than Helsley (and cost less in return).

Helsley has a 2-pitch mix of slider/fastball.  I don't see starter material out of that.  

I'm not saying I'd object to signing Helsley, but I'd rather have him in the bullpen.  He has the kind of "swing and miss" stuff we need in our bullpen.

Peter

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Peter Welch

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Nov 25, 2025, 12:59:54 PMNov 25
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I just read that Helsley claims he was tipping his pitches this year.  He also has a tendency to get blisters.  

Again, I don't mind the Tigers signing him, especially if they sign Finnegan as well, but Helsley should be in the bullpen not as a starter.

Peter

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Sent: Monday, November 24, 2025 10:32 AM
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Subject: Re: Ryan Helsey ... starting pitcher?
 

Roger King

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Nov 25, 2025, 1:11:21 PMNov 25
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I find it strange that the Tigers would sign someone they have to convert into a starter instead of just signing someone who is already a starter, especially in light of the fact they already have a set rotation going into 2026 if they do nothing else.

In general, I’d like a world where Tigers management doesn’t try to switch the positions of various players… Or get them to play three or four different positions… Where they let the young hitting core bat against both RH’s and LH’s… where they let starters who are mostly pitching fine try and gut it out and go another inning or two (not a reference to Skubal but rather Mize and Flaherty, who were taken out of playoff starts early despite pitching well) etc etc.  It’s just constant tinkering/maneuvering to not always productive ends.


Peter Welch

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Nov 30, 2025, 12:32:29 PMNov 30
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Helsley signed with Orioles for 2-years, $28 million.

Peter
From: Roger King <pnag...@pnagency.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2025 1:11 PM
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