Despite his ascension to the top of the AL saves charts, there’s the big elephant in the room: Bailey’s bevy of injuries. Throughout his career, the 27-year-old has seemingly racked up as many injuries as he has accolades.
It started at Wagner College, where Bailey suffered an elbow injury after pitching just 42 frames. The pain prompted a speedy introduction to renowned Dr. James Andrews, who performed Tommy John surgery on Bailey.
The medical visits snowballed. Bailey underwent a minor offseason procedure on his knee in 2009. Then, in the past 21 months, the closer battled lateral epicondylitis, an intercostal strain, elbow inflammation and a forearm strain.
Even with Bailey’s spotty injury history, the Red Sox were smart to go this direction to address their closing vacancy. It’s a low-risk, low-cost deal. This season, Bailey is entering his first arbitration-eligible year and will make roughly $3.5 million.
That total certainly beats paying through the roof to lure Ryan Madson or Francisco Cordero in free agency.
If Bailey were to suffer an injury, the Red Sox wouldn’t be shelling out major cash to him and could still look to reliever Mark Melancon, who tallied 20 saves in Houston. But general manager Ben Cherington isn’t counting on that.
“[Bailey] was able to recover from [last season’s injuries], get back to pitching and perform well,” Cherington said. “His stuff and his performance were solid down the stretch and he was systematic for the rest of the season after he came back. We are very confident he’ll come into camp ready to go and ready to help our team in 2012.”
During his three-year stint in Oakland, Bailey showed mettle in the clutch, converting 89 percent of his saves with 174 strikeouts in 174 innings. The most impressive number on his Oakland résumé was his career 2.07 ERA.
While closing in Boston brings about additional pressure, the New Jersey native is accustomed to the expectations of the East Coast.
“I haven’t experienced a [pennant race] yet, but I’m looking forward to experiencing it,” Bailey said. “I’m going to welcome that with open arms and it’s not going to change the style of how I attack the hitters. I’m aggressive and like to go after guys.”
“As long as I stick to my guns, trust in my stuff, I’ll be fine, I’m sure. It’s the same three outs as it is in April as it is in September.”
That may be so, but the spotlight will be shining even brighter during the three outs in Boston. Still, Bailey insists this was the first offseason in his brief career that he’s been completely healthy.
It’s an admission sure to encourage the Red Sox in 2012.
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