Ahead of their victory over Ryan Helsley in an arbitration hearing, the Cardinals reportedly discussed a multi-year deal with the right-hander, according to The Athletic’s Katie Woo. Woo notes that the sides were far apart, with the biggest issue being Helsley’s durability. As Woo notes, the Cardinals were concerned with Helsley’s rarely pitching on back-to-back days last year, while Helsley’s camp pointed out that he frequently went multiple innings during appearances as an explanation for that.
Helsley pitched on back-to-back days eight times in 2022, with eighteen of his 54 appearances lasting longer than 1.0 IP, though just nine of his appearances involved pitch counts greater than 25. Whatever one makes of his durability, however, Helsley certainly turned in a dominant 2022 season as he pitched to a sterling 1.25 ERA good for a 306 ERA+, meaning he was more than three times more effective than the league average pitcher in 2022. That performance was backed by a strong 2.34 FIP thanks to Helsley’s fantastic 39.3% strikeout rate and solid 8.4% walk rate. His K-BB% of 31 ranked fourth best in the majors last year among those with at least 60 innings of work.
For his part, Helsley told reporters that there were “no hard feelings” between himself and the organization, though he noted that the arbitration process was a tough one and that he and other players “wish it was a little different.”
Elsewhere in the NL Central…
- Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson will likely see more time off from his duties behind the plate this year, manager David Bell tells reporters, including Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Bell plans for Stephenson to catch around 65 games this season, with about 80 games split between the DH slot and first base, allowing him to play around 140-50 games this season. Stephenson was limited to just 50 games and 183 plate appearances in 2022 due to injuries, but he hit well in those appearances, slashing .319/.372/.484, good for a wRC+ of 134. That overall line was likely helped by an inflated .409 BABIP, but as a career 119 wRC+ hitter, Stephenson still figures to be a key cog in the Reds lineup in 2023 as long as he can stay healthy. The Reds are no doubt hoping that less time behind the plate will help Stephenson stay on the field this year, while still allowing him to primarily be a catcher. The Reds expect to roster three catchers headed into Opening Day, with Curt Casali and Luke Maile both signed to big league deals.
- Sticking with the Reds, Bell tells reporters, including Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, that his hope is to have more than one left-handed reliever in his bullpen this year. Reiver Sanmartin is the only lefty currently expected to be part of Cincinnati’s Opening Day bullpen, coming off a difficult season where he posted a 6.32 ERA (71 ERA+) in 57 innings with the big league club. Two potential options to join Sanmartin in the bullpen this year are Daniel Norris and Alex Young, both of whom are in camp on non-roster invitations. Norris struggled in 2022, posting a 5.22 ERA (76 ERA+) in 58 2/3 innings split between the Cubs and the Tigers last year. Young, however, found success in 2022 pitching for the Guardians and Giants. The lefty posted a 2.36 ERA (175 ERA+) with a 2.89 FIP in 26 2/3 innings, almost all of which came in San Francisco.
A 306 ? Think the system may need a little tinkering still….
He put up a 1.25 ERA. That’s very impressive. The 306 is just math.
Watching Helsley in the first half of the season, you can see why he had an ERA+ of 306. It was nearly the All-Star game before he gave up a run. He was fanning almost two batter an inning, though he became merely very good in the second half. I just hope they don’t overuse him in 2023.
Watching Helsley in the first half of the season, you can see why he had an ERA+ of 306. It was nearly the All-Star game before he gave up a run. He was fanning almost two batter an inning, though he became merely very good in the second half. I just hope they don’t overuse him in 2023.
It’s hard to draw conclusions with no numbers from the two sides
If the Reds want more left handed relief help, there are (and we’re) better options available than guys on minor league deals.
Sounds like the GM is not paying attention to what the manager needs for success. Imagine that.
No surprise on the Stephenson news. Why else go out and get two experienced catchers?
GM knows what the team needs. Ownership gave him a shoestring budget so he’s dumpster diving. Krall is dopey but he not a moron
This is a developmental year for Cincy not a year to go all in. Over spending on a bullpen for a team not going anywhere would be foolish. Let’s see how our prospects pan out and see where our needs are. Then jump in to free agency to fill those needs and make a run in 24 or 25. We have to be patient this year.
Winning isn’t foolish. However I agree it’s going to be a year that needs a lot of patients from the fans. Bob & Co are exasperating the fans so patience isn’t going to be found in most fans.
The cardinals are rip off version of the Braves. Always down for an extension if they can talk a player into taking pennys on the dime (or less).
They concerned about helsley’s durability or they just trying to convince him he’s less valuable than he actually is ??
Hi clueless, I’m guessing you have no idea how the arbitration process works.
Enough to know that’s the only time Cardinals will ever offer an extension to a player
Sure it’s a rip off. The Cardinals have been using this model for almost 20 years. They did it with Pujols, Molina, Wainwright and many others. They have tried to do it with every player they consider to be a long term fit for the team. Some are obviously more successful than others. When did the Braves start using this particular business model?
It’s pointless to draw conclusions about this article without year and dollar amounts,
Before then the Indians did it with belle and Baerga.
I’m sure that wasn’t the first time either.
It’s become the default for teams any time they can pull it off. The remarkable thing in Atlanta is the number of outstanding players they’ve developed and the number they’ve been able to extend. Players like Harper,Machado and many others are never going to extend beyond their ability to go to free agency.
That’s what I mean. The term I needed to use was a poorer version of Braves.
Just curious. What extension did pujols sign ?
A 7 year $100 million dollar deal in February of 2004. It sounds like more of a steal now than it did at the time. It bought out his arbitration years plus 4 more. It was the ninth largest contract at the time. It was 3 times larger than the next largest arbitration eligible extension to that date.
So he got paid fairly….thx.
That Acuna Jr deal kills me ! That’s why I put Braves on top when it comes to low balling players.
I’ve got a three way beef with Bells plan for Stephenson:
1. He’s a catcher, he’s said he wants to be a catcher and he’s their best option at catcher.
2. Do we see other teams with big hitting catchers taking this course of action? No…they are catchers.
3. Now I’m going to step out on a limb. Does anyone else see this as a shot over Joey Vottos bow? He already knows he won’t get a full season at first, which sort of limits how he can produce. This has SOB (Son of Bob) written all over it.
When Stephenson is at 1B Votto will likely be the DH. Stephenson may be the best hitter in the Reds lineup and they want to ensure as many AB’s as possible. This is likely Votto’s farewell tour in Cincinnati as there is zero chance they pick up his option for ’24.
So if he has a terrific year with big numbers, and wins the Comeback Player of the Year they’re just gonna let him walk? I don’t think so, and CES has something to say about who their next first baseman is…
You are absolutely out of your mind if you think Votto will get his option picked up. If he blows them away this year they may offer him a new deal but it won’t be at $25 mill.
Oh yeah, I certainly understand they won’t pick up the 25 Mill. With a good season out of him though, why not do what you can to keep him?
Has to be frustrating to hear in arb hearings that the reasons behind their detractions are created by the team and the player just doing what is best for the team in that year.
Basically, them admitting they are approaching the players development with a combination of maximizing value while minimizing contributions. Obviously, a long held assumption, but still has to be grating
MLBTR continuing to just refuse to acknowledge that Sanmartin had a 3.32 ERA in 40.2 innings once he moved to the bullpen last year and his stat line is inflated due to 5 disastrous starts in the rotation to begin the year
Third article they’ve taken the opportunity to take a shot at him without taking half a second to acknowledge reality behind the numbers
Yeah, he is terrible when he’s trying to make it thru an entire batting order & halfway decent when he only has to get thru a handful (if that) many batters. Just like how a guy who couldn’t succeed in the rotation ended up being the (COUGH
COUGH) best relief pitcher of all time.
Yeah, at least this is a different writer that doesn’t know his subject matter as well as he should. You’d think they’d check the games vs games started on baseball reference before they chewed their cud.
Gonna be a long season for the Reds. Got a few SS types and one or two SP prospects who look promising. This is Votto’s last year in Cincy and maybe MLB. Just hope he doesn’t embarrass himself and hit .220 with no pop.
Don’t get David Bell at all. I’ve seen paper place mats diners that are more exciting. Time for Larkin to leave the TV booth, don a uniform and manage the Reds to the playoffs.in 2024.
Cincinnati leadership has three intersecting goals IMO. A goal of minimal financial outlay with the goal of number of victories, a reversal of the larger market teams that start with win goal and then the bill for those wins. The third line is profitablity for investors. IMO, this third goal is minimal if existing at all in winning clubs. As long as small market clubs ( exclude San Diego) have this third goal, I believe they will eternally struggle every season with the Big Boys owners.