HAINES CITY, FLA. — Reliever Cory Bailey knew entering the Kansas City Royals spring training that one bad outing could be his last one.
Bailey signed with the Royals as a minor league free agent and knew few people in the organization. The odds were and remain stacked against him making the 11-man pitching staff.
"In my situation, you have to make the most of every outing. You really don't have any room for failure," Bailey said Thursday. "As a six-year minor league free agent, you have to show something from the get-go. If you don't, they're not going to keep you around. I would like to make the decision very hard for them."
So far Bailey has been impeccable. In three relief appearances, he's 1-0 with a save, allowing one hit, no runs, no walks and striking out seven in four innings. He struck out the side in the ninth Tuesday in a victory over the New York Yankees.
Bailey's first three outings have certainly opened eyes on the Royals' staff.
"I managed against him in winter ball in Puerto Rico a couple of years ago and he was very impressive," Royals bullpen coach Tom Gamboa said. "His fastball and slider are major-league caliber. His command needed to be refined. With continued experience, it looks like he's more within himself."
Bailey has a 5-5 record with a 4.23 ERA in 82 games in the majors with the St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox and San Francisco Giants.
"He pitched well this far," pitching coach Brent Strom said. "He's hungry, working hard. His sinker and slider are good pitches for him. I'm going to get him in more games."
Bailey has been in Class AAA the past two years, going 2-4 with a 3.47 ERA and 12 saves with Nashville last season.
"I'm hoping whether it's out of camp or down the line to help this club win this season," he said. "Everybody wants to make the team out of spring training and that's my goal."
Bailey, a 30-year-old right-hander, was a 1991 15th-round pick of the Red Sox. He made his major league debut in 1993, but was traded to the Cardinals in 1995. In 1996, he made the Cardinals out of spring training and went 5-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 51 appearances.
St. Louis traded him to Texas after the season and in the middle of the 1997 season, the Rangers dealt him to the Giants. He was with the Pittsburgh Pirates last year.
The Royals signed Bailey in January after scouting him with the Culiacan Tomato Growers in the winter Mexican Pacific League.
"I've kind of lost a home," Bailey said. "I'm just looking for a home."
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