The St. Louis Cardinals' pitching staff was the main culprit behind the club's last-place National League Central finish last season.
The organization has replenished the rotation and added relievers this winter to avoid repeating another tumultuous outcome in 2024.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals have agreed to terms with a vital piece of the bullpen poised to have a big impact next season.
"Closer Ryan Helsley and the St. Louis Cardinals avoided an arbitration hearing for a second straight year when they agreed to a one-year, $3.8 million deal today, sources tell Mark Feinsand and myself," MLB.com's John Denton reported Thursday. "Helsley, an integral piece of the bullpen puzzle for the Cards, is locked in for ‘24."
Helsley posted a 3-4 record with a 2.45 ERA, 52-to-17 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .176 batting average against, 14 saves, and 1.06 WHIP in 36 2/3 innings pitched for St. Louis last season.
The 29-year-old missed a decent amount of last season due to a lingering injury but ended the year on a high note, returning to pitch for most of September.
The homegrown talent can be a high-leverage asset and is expected to be the main closer for St. Louis in 2024 -- if he can stay healthy.
Helsley can hit the open market at the end of the 2025 season so it's a good sign to see the two sides working together on a deal. In rare cases, arbitration can sour relationships ahead of free agency.
More must-reads: