Struggling pitcher Ryan Helsley, previously of the St. Louis Cardinals, faces difficulties in New York City
Ryan Helsley, the two-time All-Star and 2024 NL Reliever of the Year, has had a disappointing start with the New York Mets since being traded from the St. Louis Cardinals on July 31, 2025.
Helsley, who had an ERA of around 3.09 with 39 strikeouts in 35 innings for the Cardinals earlier in the season, has struggled in his new role with the Mets. His ERA with the team has been above 7, and he has allowed multiple runs in high-leverage situations, including being charged with two losses.
Helsley's initial debut with the Mets was promising, as he struck out three in one inning. However, subsequent outings have not been as effective, leading to concern from Mets management and fans alike.
In contrast to his performance with the Mets, Helsley's elite fastball velocity (averaging 99.3 mph) and wipeout slider remain intact. But the results have not matched his previous standards with New York.
Despite the early struggles, Helsley has expressed gratitude towards the Cardinals franchise and the significance of wearing the birds on the bat. He has also left the door open for a potential reunion with the Cardinals following the 2025 season, assuming the Mets don't offer him a contract extension.
The trade, which also involved prospects Jesus Baez, Nate Dohm, and Frank Elissalt, may not have a clear outcome for the Cardinals as it's too early to assess. However, many reporters have named the Mets among the "winners" of the trade deadline.
Meanwhile, the Mets have been in a freefall since the start of August, losing all five games that Helsley has pitched in. If Helsley's struggles continue, the New York media may join in with dissatisfied rumblings from fans.
Despite not serving as the Mets' closer, Helsley threw the fastest pitch in the Mets' Statcast era on Aug. 9, at 103.8 mph. However, his 2025 season performance has been below his 2024 season, where he had a major league-leading 49 saves and a 2.04 ERA.
As Helsley navigates his new role with the Mets, he will aim to regain his form and help the team in their pursuit of a title. The Mets are pushing in all of their chips in an attempt to compete, and Helsley's performance will be crucial in determining their success.
Regardless of Helsley's impressive fastball velocity and elite pitching skills, his struggling performances with the Mets have raised concerns within the team and among fans, as his ERA with the team is substantially higher than when he played baseball with the MLB's St. Louis Cardinals. Despite throwing the fastest pitch in the Mets' Statcast era, Helsley's 2025 season performance has fallen short compared to his stellar 2024 season, where he had a major league-leading 49 saves and a 2.04 ERA in MLB's sports.
