After reportedly agreeing to ship lefty Jon Niese to the Pirates, the Mets have “stepped up their efforts” to bring back free agent righty Bartolo Colon, Marc Carig of Newsday reports on Twitter. There’s “mutual interest” in a reunion, ESPNNewYork.com’s Adam Rubin (Twitter link).
While New York is still loaded with starters, Colon would presumably represent a swingman option that won’t require a lengthy commitment.
There’s plenty of reason to believe that the 42-year-old can continue functioning as a useful MLB pitcher. Colon signed a two-year, $20MM deal to join the Mets after putting up two stellar seasons with the A’s. He hasn’t quite matched the results he had in Oakland, but has contributed a remarkable 397 innings of 4.13 ERA pitching with 6.5 K/9 and a sterling 1.2 BB/9.
New York figures to roll out a rotation fronted by Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey, and Noah Syndergaard and also likely including highly-rated prospect Steven Matz. But with Niese now gone and Zack Wheeler still working back from Tommy John surgery, there’s some uncertainty beyond that point. As things stand, the team’s other options could include players like Rafael Montero, and Logan Verrett.
What the heck. Give him an 8 year 8 million dollar contract and see if he can pitch until he’s 50.
He is the one guy that could pitch up to 50 – like him to go to the WhiteSox the man can still Ball I was just amazed at his last two years – Colon w/ Chi town Soxs as the number 4 on the reasonable
Just shocked he can still pitch at his weight. Have to figure his knees won’t last forever. I think every fan in baseball has a vested interest in him being in the NL. Watching him hit is well worth the price of admission. Seeing him actually reach base is something to tell future generations about.
Oh, colon at bat is gold!
Mets have offer Colon a 30 pack of Beer and a $50 gift card to Burger King. A decision is will be made shortly.
I forgot about Montero… still a mid rotation ceiling.
come join the bluejays we have an all you can eat mandarin special
Phillies and Braves should sign him to protect younger arms.
Colon in relief was surprisingly helpful last yr in the playoffs. I love(d) him as a player for the Mets. I hope he can sign a team friendly 1yr deal, as the Coupons…err…Wilpons are some of the cheapest owners in baseball, so they aren’t going to go out of their way to pay him much.
Colon was a good pitcher last year and was also good coming out of the bullpen, if the Mets plan to resign and use him as a starter until wheeler comes back and also colon could possibly fit in to a 6 man rotation to save innings, a 1 year deal sounds good enough for a player his age
I agree. Colon still has value, especially for a team like New York who could stand to preserve young arms.
I don’t think that the contract’s so much the issue as the cost o feeding him.
Interested in him as a coach?
I love Bartolo the Met. He and Grandyman were the only reasons why I wanted them to win the World Series.
aint over til the fat man sings