Kansas City Royals: What should the plan be for Homer Bailey?

Recently acquired Homer Bailey hasn’t had the best outings in Spring Training. He was signed to a Minor League contract with an invite to Surprise, but if he wants to end up with the Kansas City Royals for Opening Day, he really needs to find his groove.

It has been speculated that maybe Homer Bailey will choose to seek out different options if he does not work his way onto the Kansas City Royals roster by Opening Day.

According to a recent Kansas City Star article by Lynn Worthy, he isn’t reading into his outings too much.

"“Royals manager Ned Yost said he was encouraged by Bailey’s changeup, curveball, and the fact his fastball reached 94 MPH.”"

Even though Bailey allowed four runs on seven hits in just 2.1 innings of work, he said he is not discouraged.

"“I don’t really know that I’ve ever had a good Spring Training to be honest with you,” Bailey said, per Worthy. “Results, I think, will come more if I’m walking a bunch of people and I’m not being competitive in the zone, maybe a reading a few springs – obviously they’re hitting balls in the middle of the zone – but reading swings and takes and seeing maybe where the action is.”"

Even though he is not reading into his performances too much, it may need to improve drastically if he wants to make the Opening Day roster. He was signed as a free agent, but he has an out starting March 25 if he wants it. Then, he could explore other options that would put him in a Major League setting right away. A 12 year veteran, it’s understandable why he may opt for that instead of settling in the Minors.

The 33 year old has appeared in two games for the Kansas City Royals in the Cactus League so far, and his overall numbers read as an ERA of 10.80, WHIP of 2.40, eight hits, no batters walked, and two strikeouts through 3.1 total innings of work.

They aren’t the greatest numbers, but if Bailey doesn’t think he has ever had a good Spring Training, maybe it will translate into success in the regular season. As it stands right now, his chances of making the Kansas City Royals roster does not look the greatest, as it looks like Jorge Lopez will claim the fifth starting role.

If Homer Bailey chooses to stay with the Royals, he will filter into the Minor League system. More likely, though, he will end up with a different organization who is willing to give him time right away or lie in wait until a team is willing to put him on their roster.