The Angels are engaged in early talks to retain reliever Andrew Bailey, GM Billy Eppler tells Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register (Twitter link). While there’s no deal yet, it seems that the Halos are making the veteran righty a priority.
Bailey, 32, has battled through arm issues in recent years, but was finally healthy in 2016. He struggled with the Phillies, but seemingly found a home in Los Angeles late in the season. It’s worth remembering that Eppler was with the Yankees when they gave him rebound opportunities in 2014 and 2015.
Over a dozen appearances with the Angels, Bailey allowed just three earned runs on nine hits while recording eight strikeouts against only two walks. And he ultimately landed in the Halos’ closer role, locking up six saves.
It remains to be seen what kind of contract Bailey can command, and what other interest might develop, but that late-season push may at least have earned him a major league deal. Still, clubs will be mindful of his lengthy injury history as well as the fact that he struggled to a 6.40 ERA over his 32 1/3 innings in Philadelphia to open the 2016 season.
All the best to Andrew Bailey, Boston thought they had a sure thing in 2013….then the injury bug struck, again
Angels are a threat if they can bring him back on a minor-league deal with an invitation to Spring Training.
lol, “threat”
It’s going to a bit more pitching than that! Lol
U guy can laugh at it but if come back and returns to the guy he once was He pitches in the seventh Cam in the eight string in the ninth That a good ball pen
You cannot be taken seriously with anything you write until your grammar is somewhat legible.
When I want a good ball pen, I look to Bic
U guy can laugh at it but if come back and returns to the guy he once was He pitches in the seventh Cam in the eight Streets In the ninth let face it were not going to win anytime soon just hope to catch lightning in a bottle yankee are not win anytime soon either
Doug, doubling down on the dumb!
At least Doug is smart enough to know the Skanks ain’t goin’ anywhere!
It’s all “if”. I’m an Angels fan, and he did good for the team down the stretch, but he has a solid track record of injury. I would think something along the lines of getting a guaranteed contract if he makes it to the big league roster after spring training with a plus minimum salary and incentive based bonuses for staying healthy and pitching appearances. Something like Brett Anderson’s deal would be nice.
Ah, yes. I can see the Angels front office pulling off couch cushions in search for as much loose change that Andrew can handle…
He did a good job down the stretch, wouldn’t mind having him back to take over a 7th inning role. Melancon would be a nice addition for the pen too so we can have Cam in the 8th and the 7th held down by Bailey and Street
I hope we can get Charlie Furbush too and add Nova to the rotation along with bringing Weave back in a roll like Chris Young had.
I’m sure everyone will just take my word for it here, but I had a gut feeling down the stretch that Andrew Bailey was finally healthy and ready for a successful significant role again. He looked as good as he’s been in a long time. I also saw a pattern among Angels pitchers where even AAAA arms were figuring it out as the season went deep into the second half, and I’m beginning to wonder if Charles Nagy is a pitching coach who can resurrect damaged pitchers. Not talking Dave Duncan here just yet, but it’s just something I noticed this season.
Mind sharing the names of these pitchers that Nagy has resurrected?