Cincinnati Reds need Homer Bailey to pitch again in 2016

The Cincinnati Reds need the rest of MLB to see that Homer Bailey is healthy.

The past two years have been a complete wash for Cincinnati Reds ace Homer Bailey.  After injuring his arm in 2014, Bailey has only made a combined 8 starts over the past two years.  He is a big money pitcher, spending most of his time on the disabled list.

Bailey pitched six times this year, but hasn’t since August 28th due to biceps tenderness.  A start for him, even if for a shortened time, would be huge for the Reds and Bailey.  He needs to geel like he can become the pitcher that he used to be and the team needs to get others interested in him as a trade candidate.

It has been a tough few years for the Reds and Bailey.  The team has remained loyal to the idea of Bailey being a starter, while his arm has repeatedly let him down.  Now he must remain loyal to them and let them start him, if he is healthy.

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It is unusual for a team to allow an oft-injured pitcher to throw a meaningless game in September.  This is different, however.  Bailey needs to establish his market for the Reds and other teams.  With the second highest payroll number on the team heading into 2017, he needs to show that he is worth a spot on the team.

Since leaving the rotation, Bailey threw in the bullpen three times before the Reds.

With only two weeks left in the season, it would be difficult for Bailey to get in two starts without sharing a start with another pitcher.  That’s the great thing about September, though.  They can have Bailey start and Finnegan relieve if that’s what they want to do.

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The Reds need to start Bailey to send a message.

On another level the Reds’ front office needs to send Bailey out there to show the young team that hard work is necessary.  With Billy Hamilton and Cody Reed both being shutdown early the Reds need to show everyone that September isn’t operation vacation.  That is probably why they are sending Brandon Phillips out there every day instead of Tony Renda.

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In the end, though, the Cincinnati Reds really need to show the rest of MLB that Bailey is healthy.  He probably isn’t a tradable commodity this off-season.  Showing his health now, though, could make him highly tradable at the deadline next year.  The Reds are closing in on becoming competitive.  They need to send the message that they are ready to win.