MLB New York Yankees

Andrew Bailey Could be Wild Card in New York Yankees’ Bullpen

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By @chriswgamble

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Getty Images

With the trade of Shawn Kelley, the New York Yankees essentially have two open bullpen spots, spots they will be able to offer to their younger, more cost effective arms. There is, however, one arm that is very intriguing, a veteran arm with closing experience. That, of course, is former All-Star Andrew Bailey.

Bailey, who will turn 31 at the end of May, missed all of last year because of a torn labrum and shoulder capsule. He suffered a few setbacks in his recovery which delayed his being able to pitch last season. However, the Yankees did re-sign him to a minor league contract after declining his option earlier this offseason.

While he is a no sure thing especially with his injury history, Bailey is an intriguing option for the 2015 Yankees’ bullpen. He may never be the pitcher who racked up 75 saves from 2009-2011 while pitching to a 2.07 ERA and striking out exactly a batter per inning in 174 innings and winning the Rookie of the Year and being named to two All-Star teams while with the Oakland Athletics. However, if healthy, Bailey represents the most intriguing arm in the Yankees’ bullpen this side of Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller. He is an experienced closer, if that really counts for anything, who features a four-seam fastball, cutter and curveball, or at least he did before the elbow and shoulder issues.

The Yankees are not relying on Bailey to contribute. In fact, anything they get out of Bailey in terms of quality appearances should be considered a win for GM Brian Cashman and manager Joe Girardi. Bailey is essentially a wild card. His injury history is scary, a shoulder and elbow and setbacks that pushed back his timetable from late last year to this year are all red flags. However, the Yankees knew his medicals when they re-signed him to a minor league deal. They must have seen something there that gave them hope. At least Yankees’ fans hope so.

With David Robertson and Shawn Kelley gone, having Bailey, a healthy Bailey to be clear, could really make an impact. Is it something the Yankees can count on? Hell no. However, having a healthy Bailey around makes the Yankees’ bullpen a little deeper and adds a lot of potential to the middle of the bullpen. Right now, it seems as if Bailey will be able to enter Spring Training ready to pitch so the Yankees should know then exactly what to expect from Bailey.

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