In this off-season, the Cincinnati Reds made front-page news by signing pitcher Homer Bailey to an astounding six-year, $105 million contract. For most baseball fans, the amazing feat of throwing a no-hitter in two consecutive years makes this seem as if Bailey is an elite pitcher and this is a highly justifiable contract. However, if you look at Bailey’s career stats outside those two no-hitters, it becomes clear that a contract that large was not fitting for his talent.
And Bailey is proving that again this year.
Bailey’s contract value ranks 11th among all starting pitchers in the majors, and he places ahead of players such as Rangers ace Yu Darvish. When you look at his stats, he should NOT be ranking 11th in contract value, or anywhere near that.
Looking at Bailey’s stats so far this season, he has a 5.36 earned-run average. Among all starting pitchers in the league, that ERA barely makes it within the top 100. The 11th-richest starting pitcher in the league should really have a lower ERA than Bronson Arroyo.
Looking at other stats, such as wins, Homer Bailey is tied for 92nd in the league with just a measly two wins. Now it is early in the season, but just two wins is not a good start for Bailey at all so far. Now while wins aren’t always the best indicator of a pitcher’s performance, with a 5.36 ERA, and 1.636 WHIP it is indicative of his performance this season.
Another stat that shows Homer Bailey’s lacking performance is his number of hits allowed. Bailey has given up 52 hits this season, which ties for the 7th-most in the majors. Bailey is not pitching well, and his stats show that opposing hitters are just beating him up so far to the tune of a .313/.370/.506 slash line against him this season.
Homer Bailey is one of the highest-paid pitchers in professional baseball, but he is pitching like one of the worst starters in the league through his seven starts. Yes, those two no-hitters were incredible, but Bailey has been an abysmal pitcher aside from those no-no’s. Bailey is not at all worth what he is being paid, and he never will be worth that $105 million.
Bailey is not a special pitcher, and the Reds have got to do something about it because they are absolutely wasting their money on him. Unfortunately for them it appears that they will be stuck with a struggling pitcher on a gargantuan contract for the next six years
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