Report: Tigers talking to free agent Helsley about starting role
The Detroit Tigers are on the hunt for starting pitching and might make an unorthodox signing to fill their need.
Detroit is talking to free-agent right-hander Ryan Helsley about becoming a starter, reports The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, Cody Stavenhagen, and Katie Woo.
The Tigers are slated to enter next season with a rotation featuring back-to-back AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, Jack Flaherty, Casey Mize, and Troy Melton. Reese Olson is also expected to return from season-ending shoulder surgery, while Jackson Jobe will likely miss most of 2026 after Tommy John surgery.
Helsley has pitched every game of his major-league career in relief and hasn't started a professional baseball game since 2019 with the St. Louis Cardinals' Triple-A affiliate.
The free-agent crop of relievers this offseason is far more plentiful than the market for starters, and converting to the new role could provide Helsley with more options for a deal. Clay Holmes, Seth Lugo, and Michael King successfully transitioned from the bullpen to starting roles in recent years.
Helsley led the majors with 49 saves in 2024, but he wasn't as effective last season for the Cardinals, who traded him to the New York Mets in July. The 31-year-old couldn't turn things around in New York, posting a 7.20 ERA and 1.80 WHIP in 22 games.