Which contract is better: Jose Alvarado or Ryan Helsley?

Ryan Helsley reportedly agreed to a two year, $28 million contract with the Orioles that includes an opt out after the first year.

Earlier in the offseason, the Phillies picked up their option for the 2026 season on Jose Alvarado at $9 million, making him a free agent after the season has concluded.

It makes today’s question easy: which contract is better – Alvarado’s or Helsley’s? Snap judgement is that Alvarado’s is better because it’s guaranteed to only be one season. If he’s bad, the team can just wave goodbye after the season is concluded whereas if Helsley is bad, he’s coming back at a really expensive salary.

However.

Alvarado was out half the season for failing a PED test last year and when he came back, he was bad, then hurt. He ended his season on the injured list with an elbow issue, not something that inspires confidence for 2026. Helsley was mostly “meh” with the Cardinals, then a flat out failure with the Mets. Why that was, we don’t know, but all indications are that he was healthy.

It’s a fairly simple question….right?