Listed below, are the points and counterpoints about what the Reds should do about Homer Bailey:
Point: The Reds will give him the entire season and evaluate then.
Counterpoint: They may do that but a team that is serious about winning can't keep running Bailey out there.
P: They won't know what they have until September.
CP: It is obvious what they have. He is inefficient. He can't put hitters away.
P: He pitched very well at the end of 2009.
CP: Two of those starts were against the Pirates. Sometimes, September stats can be big fat liars.
P: He also had good games against the Dodgers, Marlins, Rockies and Cardinals in that same time frame. Three of those teams were in the playoffs and another was close. Young pitchers don't always pitch well. Bailey is still a legitimate pitching prospect.
CP: I just don't see it. Bailey has opened the year with two consecutive horrible starts. He is averaging two base runners an inning. How long can that last?
P: If those two bad starts happened in July, there would be no concerns. Keep in mind that he will be 24 in May.
CP: How long can the Reds' bullpen last with the guy throwing five innings each time out?
P: They need to let Bailey take his lumps. He is still working on developing his command.
CP: That should be done at AAA.
P: Ideally, yes.
CP: He's given up a crazy amount of base runners this year. His career ERA is on the wrong side of 5.50. You aren't concerned?
P: I'm somewhat concerned about his consistency.
CP: They can give him time now but it won't be long before Aroldis Chapman, Edinson Volquez, and Travis Wood are ready to go.
P: Every pitcher has times during the season where they struggle. Let Bailey work his way through it. If a bad week turns into a bad month, then we may have a problem.
CP: He still throws hard.
P: Bailey's stuff is still good. You see a lot of swings and misses. His biggest problem is with his location.
CP: He seems to get ahead, then loses the batter to a walk.
P: He will fix that. Bailey was always a slow starter in the minors and never really got things going until May. Hopefully he can get things going soon.
CP: You are very optimistic.
P: Yes...you will also notice that with all of his problems, he isn't getting hammered. He does not get rattled and start overthrowing. He has kept the Reds in games.
CP: We have heard about the huge potential from this No. 1 pick for years. At some point he needs convert that potential into quality starts.
P: Do you realize that he has pitched only 10 innings in 2010?
CP: Yes. All I'm saying is that Bailey is out of options. The Reds will have to decide on him soon. He may end up in the bullpen.
P: Many pitchers don't reach their peak until they hit 25 or 26. As long as he isn't killing the Reds game after game, they should keep running him out there.
CP: I'd rather see what Chapman can do.
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