SF Giants can opt for reclamation project to fix back end of bullpen

The SF Giants have their work cut out for them this offseason as they will have to rework a bullpen that essentially fell apart and ran out of gas by the end of 2025. Perhaps they could bring in a reclamation project in Ryan Helsley.

Without sugarcoating it, Helsley had a very rough go in 2025 after he got traded to the New York Mets. He put up respectable numbers in the first half of 2025 with the St. Louis Cardinals, but after joining the Mets things got out of control.

SF Giants could bet on a rebound for Ryan Helsley

With the Cardinals, Helsley had a 3.00 ERA in 36 games with 21 saves. After getting dealt at the deadline, Helsley had a jarring ERA of 7.20 in 22 games. He looked like a shell of his former self, but the reason for that may be more complicated.

Eno Sarris of The Athletic dug into Helsley's advanced stats and found that his raw stuff was not to blame for his decline but those numbers may have had more to do with some mechanical issues that were brought about after Helsley realized he was tipping his pitches.

It is important to remember that Helsley was an All-Star and was one of the most elite closers in the game in 2024. He had a 2.04 ERA that season in 65 games and led the league with 49 saves.

Of course, relievers seem to always have volatile ups and downs. The Giants would be betting that they could get Helsley back on track far away from the unforgiving media climate of New York City.

Perhaps the team's new pitching voices could offer a fresh set of eyes that would help get Helsley back on track. Fixing a guy's mechanics is a lot easier than fixing his ability to throw a 99 mile per hour fastball so he could be just a tweak or two away from capturing his old form.

Still, there is a case to be made that the Giants should avoid potentially pricey relievers this offseason. They have been connected to Devin Williams, but just like Helsley he was a former All-Star and looked elite with his former NL Central team, in his case the Milwaukee Brewers. Then, Williams went to New York to join the Yankees and had toe worst season of his career.

Relievers are a tricky bunch, but Helsley may be a little cheaper than some of the other high-end options out there and may be just a minor fix away from unlocking his All-Star self.