Ryan Helsley arrived in New York with a blown‑out reputation for velocity and a wipeout breaking ball, but his Mets tenure has struggled to take off. A three‑run Kerry Carpenter blast in Detroit highlighted the setback as New York dropped the finale and the chance to sweep. Mendoza stressed that the stuff is still elite and adjustments were made, yet the drastic change in role—from closer to high‑leverage setup—has shaken confidence. The piece ties Helsley’s plight to Kimbrel/Hendriks, illustrating how a role shift can sap killer instinct even for top talents as the postseason nears.