The ageless Bartolo Colon has no plans to retire, telling Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News that he will pitch next season if a team is interested in his services. Colon’s two-year, $20MM contract with the Mets expires at the end of the season.
“I think for personal records I think I was OK. I know 14-13 [his win-loss record] means a lot for me. I think I did everything in my power to help the team and put it in position to win,” Colon said. “For me, personally, it was a success.”
Colon, who turned 42 last May, has posted a 4.18 ERA, 6.3 K/9 and 5.63 K/BB rate over 193 2/3 innings for the NL East champions this season, and he owns a league-leading 1.1 BB/9. This pinpoint control helps the 18-year veteran succeed despite an on-paper unimpressive arsenal that still fools most batters, including an 88.4mph fastball that he throws a whopping 83.7% of the time.
A return to the Mets may not be in the cards for Colon, given how the team already has Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey, Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz and Jon Niese slated for the 2016 rotation, not to mention Logan Verrett and Rafael Montero as other possible depth options and Zack Wheeler returning at midseason from Tommy John surgery. Still, Colon’s durability and solid numbers should ensure that he’ll get interest from some teams, despite his advanced age.
I don’t know why, but when I saw this I thought it said “Bartolo Colon Intends to Pitch in 2026:
He might if he has another Frankenstein’s monster surgery
I doubt he costs more than $7-$8m on a 1 year deal due to the advanced age and average numbers, but whoever gets him will be getting one of the best values on the market this offseason
He certainly gonna find a contract, i see him pitch for a contender team in the 4-5 pitcher spot. Like the royals, toronto (if buerlhe,dickey,hutchinson don’t come back)
Just please stay in the NL so we can watch him bat!
…and run bases and tag runners to first!