MLB insider predicts Mets to make bold Ryan Helsley postseason decision

Matt Sullivan

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MLB insider predicts Mets to make bold Ryan Helsley postseason decision image

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The New York Mets were one of the more aggressive teams at the MLB trade deadline, acquiring multiple relievers to bolster a bullpen for a deep postseason run. While Gregory Soto and Tyler Rogers have had their moments, Ryan Helsley has struggled immensely.

He's been one of the worst relievers in baseball since the trade deadline, and the Mets have been struggling to deploy the reliever they spent a lot on this July. With the postseason on the horizon, Helsley is running out of time to turn his career around.

Will Sammon, an MLB insider for The Athletic, during an appearance on Foul Territory, made a bold prediction for Helsley ahead of the postseason. He predicts that Helsley, despite being a big trade pickup, might not have a secure roster spot.

Ryan Helsley is predicted to be off the postseason roster

"It's a concern," Sammon said, "It's troubling because the Mets obviously didn't think this would happen. They gave up real value in that trade with the Cardinals. They expected a lot from this guy. And he's somebody now that, if the Mets were to make a playoff roster right now, would he even be on it? I'm not sure. Because you can't really feel good about pitching him in key situations right now."

It's a bold prediction from Sammon that, despite the capital spent on adding Helsley, the Mets could decide his recent struggles are too risky to have come in the postseason. It'd be a tough decision, but if he didn't have the name value, Helsley wouldn't be considered for the postseason roster, let alone as a high-leverage reliever.

Since coming to the Mets, Helsley has had an 11.08 ERA in 16 appearances. He's amounted to -1.4 WAR, the worst stretch of his career by far.

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He had a 3.00 ERA in St. Louis before coming to New York, but in the games since becoming a Met, he's been one of the worst pitchers in baseball.

Across 13 innings pitched, Helsley has allowed 22 hits, 16 earned runs, 20 unearned, four home runs, eight walks, while striking out 16 batters.

This production isn't enough to guarantee a postseason roster spot, even though the Mets spent so much on him at the deadline. He could still return to form and have a decent finish to the regular season. But even then, it'd be hard to trust the Cardinals' reliever in a big spot.

Sammon's prediction is a bold one, but it might not be too far-fetched based on how Helsley has pitched. Even though the Mets spent a lot on Helsley at the deadline, he shouldn't be guaranteed a postseason spot.

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Matt Sullivan

Matt Sullivan is a freelance writer for The Sporting News, predominantly covering MLB. Matt is a native of Pennsylvania and has worked with Athlon Sports, Last Word on Sports, and other outlets.