Pittsburgh Pirates Free Agent Target: Starting Pitcher Homer Bailey

Could a long time Pittsburgh Pirates killer be a free agent target for the Bucs?

For 12 years Homer Bailey pitched for the Cincinnati Reds. During his stint with the Reds, Bailey was a bonafide Pittsburgh Pirates killer. Now, he is a free agent and one that could help out the Pirates in 2020.

After pitching for solely the Reds, Bailey started the 2019 season with the Kansas City Royals. He was then traded to the Oakland A’s over the summer, and he went on to help the A’s reach the postseason.

At the MLB Winter Meetings earlier this month Pirate general manager Ben Cherington mentioned the team’s desire to add veteran starting pitchers this offseason. Furthermore, Cherington said the team would like to do it on 1-year deals. This is a bill that Bailey would seem to fit.

Split between the Royals and A’s in 2019 Bailey posted a 4.57 ERA, 4.11 FIP and a 2.9 fWAR in 163.1 innings across 31 starts. His 21.4% strikeout rate was his highest since 2016, and he also posted a strong 7.6% walk rate.

In 243 career starts Bailey owns a 4.57 ERA, 4.20 FIP, 7.7% walk rate, and a 19.2% strikeout rate. During his career he has been worth an average of 2.2 fWAR per 32 starts. So, he has been a well above average starting pitcher in his career.

Adding Bailey could give the Pirates a veteran innings eating starting pitcher to their rotation. Additionally, he could also be a good trade chip for the team if they are out of contention in July. Bailey would also be a nice veteran presence, along with Chris Archer, in a young starting rotation that features young starters such as Mitch Keller, Joe Musgrove and Trevor Williams.

For much of his career Bailey has been a Pirate killer. However, it would make a lot of sense for him to be a Pirate in 2020. Bailey’s name could be one worth monitoring in free agency.