Andrew Bailey

Some expected Bailey to garner the closer role for the rebuilding Phillies, but the right-hander's stint in Philadelphia turned out to be a disaster. He didn't manage to make the 25-man roster out of spring training, and ended up injuring his hamstring in June once he had reached the big leagues. The results were less than stellar following his return, which led to his release from the Phillies. Bailey found his stride after the Angels signed him to a minor league contract. He impressed at Triple-A Salt Lake, and then was given the chance to close for the Halos after a September callup. The 32-year-old went a perfect 6-for-6 in save chances and posted a solid 2.38 ERA (with all three runs allowed coming in one non-save appearance). His strong September showing has put Bailey in the mix to close for the Angels in 2017, but his declining fastball velocity and inconsistent strikeout ability remain points of concern.

Bailey made his return to the big leagues as a September callup after missing more than two years with a torn labrum in his right shoulder, but the rust was apparent in his limited action. The 31-year-old worked to a 5.19 ERA with a 1.62 WHIP, issuing five free passes in just 8.2 innings. There were some encouraging signs though, as his average fastball clocked in at about 93.9 mph, not significantly down from earlier in his career, and he posted great numbers in the minors as he rehabbed his way back to the majors. The one-time closer signed with Philadelphia on a minor league deal in the offseason, which includes an invite to major league camp for spring training. He has impressed early on in camp and appears to be the favorite to open the year as the team's closer.

The Yankees kept Bailey in the organization while he attempted to return from a torn labrum in 2014, but he was unable to progress to the point of playing in games again. He was retained for 2015 on a minor league deal, offering the team a low-risk option capable of earning a bullpen spot if he's healthy in spring training. In his last partially healthy campaign, Bailey had a 12.2 K/9 and 3.77 ERA over 28.2 innings with the Red Sox, but he hasn't exceeded the value of a replacement level arm since his final season with the A's back in 2011. Control woes limited his effectiveness during his time in Boston, and it remains to be seen if Bailey can regain his mid-90s fastball after going under the knife.

Bailey opened last season as a setup man for the Red Sox and was then promoted after closer Joel Hanrahan's season was cut short by a hamstring injury. Bailey was initially effective but he suffered a biceps injury, blew a few saves, and was replaced by Koji Uehara. A shoulder injury in July led to surgery with an estimated 12-month recovery time. He was non-tendered and became an unrestricted free agent in December.

Bailey was acquired in the offseason leading up to the 2012 season projected to be Boston's closer, but he suffered a spring training thumb injury that kept him out until August, his third consecutive season shortened by an injury. He did not finish the season well, giving up 11 runs and 17 hits in 10 September innings, and walked nearly 5.0 BB/9. It's expected that Bailey will open the year in a setup role while Joel Hanrahan works as the Red Sox's closer. Even if he ends up in the ninth inning again, Bailey is a lower-tier option given his inability to stay healthy.

A forearm strain kept Bailey sidelined until late May, but he still managed to go 24-for-26 in save chances. The peripherals remain solid, though his durability may start to come into question following another season interrupted by injury following his 2010 when injuries limited him to 47 appearances. Bailey was traded to Boston in December, where he's expected to take over the ninth-inning role for the departed Jonathan Papelbon as part of the Red Sox's rebuilt bullpen.

An oblique/back injury sidelined Bailey for over a month during the regular season, and a cleanup procedure on his elbow ended his season two weeks early, but he was a solid closer for the A's when healthy. He retained his excellent peripherals from his solid rookie breakout, allowing just 34 hits and 13 walks in 49 innings while fanning 42 and picking up 25 saves in the process. His numbers leading up his his minor elbow woes were solid (12 innings, seven hits, 15:3 K:BB) so there shouldn't be any concern bidding him up to full value in 2011. He's entrenched as the A's closer, and should eclipse 30 saves for the first time with the A's expected improvement on offense this winter.

Bailey earned American League Rookie of the Year honors after racking up 26 saves, a 0.876 WHIP and a 1.84 ERA in an impressive debut season. He took advantage of some early season struggles from Brad Ziegler, and emerged as the A's closer by early June. Bailey had control issues coming up through the minors as a starter, but posted a nice 91:24 K:BB rate in 83.1 innings last season, and his numbers after the All-Star break (1.71 ERA, 0.726 WHIP, 31:5 K:BB in 31.2 innings) showed that his early season success was no fluke. It's hard to envision another season where he yields just 49 hits in 83.1 innings, but he'll enter the 2010 season as the A's clear-cut closer and no real weakness.

Bailey took a big step back in 2008, still showing control problems (56 walks in 110.1 innings at Double-A Midland), and now slots in well behind the likes of Brett Anderson and Trevor Cahill among A's pitching prospects. His control doesn't project well as a full-time starter, but the A's see some potential for Bailey out of the bullpen, with 22 of his 37 appearances at Midland coming out of the bullpen before an impressive stint (14 innings, 16 hits, 16:1 K:BB ratio) in a relief role in the Arizona Fall League. The A's are loaded from the right side in the bullpen, making Bailey's value for this year and next tough to predict.

Bailey rocketed all the way to Triple-A Sacramento for one start, skipping Double-A, after dominating hitters at Single-A in his first full pro season. On the year, he allowed just 101 hits and 54 walks in 125 innings while striking out 150 batters. While he doesn't do a very good job of keeping the ball on the ground, that shouldn't be a big concern given the A's current home park. He'll likely start the year at Triple-A, but the A's have a history of advancing pitchers quickly so a 2008 major league debut seems likely at some point.