Pittsburgh Pirates Rumors: Team Interested in Homer Bailey?

It is July, which means the Trade Deadline is just weeks away.  Could the Pittsburgh Pirates be looking to add a starting pitcher?

At the beginning of the year, it was believed that the Pittsburgh Pirates strength would be their starting rotation.  However, nobody expected four out of the five starters to spend significant time on the Injured List already.  On top of that, their sixth starter Steven Brault is also on the Injured List.   Also, no one would have thought the Jameson Taillon, the team’s number one, would miss the bulk of the season either.

Well, here the Pittsburgh Pirates are anyhow.  Their offense looks like it is really starting to click, and the bullpen still has one of the most elite closers in the game.  With the team being just 2.5 games out of first place in the National League Central, the team could be looking to bring in some reinforcements.

With the All-Star break passing and the Trade Deadline just a few weeks away, the MLB rumor mill is about to speed up.  There actually is a rumor that came out about the Pittsburgh Pirates yesterday, coming from Andrew Filliponi of 93.7 The Fan.  This is interesting as Filliponi has never been in the business of reporting rumors.  However, that is what makes it interesting and likely to be a legitimate piece of information.  The host from The Fan tweeted:

Bailey is a name that is very familiar to the Pittsburgh Pirates, which is why he could be of interest to the Bucs.  The former Reds pitcher has had a lot of injury issues over the last few years, but seems to be returning to a decent form this season.  The righty is now with the Kansas City Royals and is turning in a mixed season.

Bailey struggled out of the gate giving up 10 runs in his first two starts of the season, which has inflated his stats up to this point.  Right now he has an ERA of 4.80 in 18 starts.  However, he has been much better in recent weeks.  Like Filliponi stated, he has a 3.49 ERA in his last seven starts and actually has a 3.35 ERA in his last eight.  Bailey quietly looks like he is returning to a solid pitcher once again.

For the Pittsburgh Pirates, it makes sense.  Bailey is familiar with the National League Central and with that, the Bucs are familiar with him.  Ray Searage and staff most likely know what they can get out of him if they acquire him.  Also, he is a starting pitcher who they can plug in to help eat innings for the rest of the season.  Furthermore, the team is only a few games out and Bailey could provide a much needed, but under the radar, boost.

The last thing about Bailey is that he is a veteran with an injury history that is a free agent at the end of the season.  Chances are the Pittsburgh Pirates would not have to part with much in terms of prospects to acquire him.  If Bailey comes here and continues to pitch as he has recently, then great!  If not, chances are the team did not give up too much talent.