The Twins have prepared their roster moves to accommodate the promotion of recently signed veteran Bartolo Colon. Minnesota will outright fellow righty Dillon Gee, per Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press (via Twitter), with slugger Kennys Vargas being optioned for an active roster spot.
Once that move is official, the 44-year-old Colon will be ready join his tenth MLB organization. The twenty-year MLB veteran signed on with the Twins on a minors deal after a disappointing start to the year with the Braves, who’ll remain responsible for the vast majority of his $12.5MM salary.
With the Minnesota front office eyeing possible pitching upgrades at the trade deadline — with a focus on controllable arms, per reports — it’ll have a few chances to see Colon pitch again in the majors before making any final decisions. It’s unlikely that the ageless wonder will significantly alter the club’s decisionmaking, but if he shows well the team would obviously have somewhat less incentive to consider giving up talent or taking on salary for a short-term rotation boost.
Though Colon was knocked around with the Braves, coughing up 57 earned runs on 92 hits in his 63 frames, he has been much better in recent years. In 2016, in fact, he spun 191 2/3 innings of 3.43 ERA ball. That kind of productivity isn’t to be expected, of course, but perhaps there’s reason to hope he can still turn in some reliable frames. That’d be a welcome development for the Twins, who hope to stay in the postseason hunt but surely don’t wish to push in too many chips to do so as the organization’s new front office keeps the focus on achieving sustainable contention.
Gee, 31, was briefly called up after joining the Twins on a minors deal. But he did not appear before being optioned back to Triple-A. He made four appearances earlier in the year with the Rangers, but has spent most of the season at Triple-A. Gee has been rather effective in his 66 innings over a dozen starts, working to a 3.00 ERA with 7.0 K/9 against 2.2 BB/9. A veteran of eight MLB campaigns, Gee is looking to reestablish himself at the game’s highest level after a pair of rough seasons.
honestly, i’d rather have bauer over bartolo.. as bad as bauer is, at least he’s shown flashes every once in a (great) while.. bartolo is toast
When was that ever up for debate?
Now. It’s a close call, but I’ll agree with partyatnapolis.
I feel like it’s about time to give up on Bauer, he is probably the most inconsistent starter I’ve seen. You never know what your getting when he starts. Hope the Tribe go get a starter that’s NOT named Sonny Gray.
…..and that they don’t do something stupid/desperate like trading Mejia or McKenzie.
If you want a quality starter that’s what it’s gonna cost u, gotta give up something to get something
not to mention he’s a complete jacka5s off the field
I’d rather not, and instead wait for McKenzie to develop into a frontline starter……..who has a battery mate named Francisco Mejia.
Nothing says we have to sell the future in an attempt to win in the present, especially considering the quality of the teams in the playoff hunt this season.
I agree. The problem when you have a top flight prospect or two is all trade talks center on those guys. A couple years back every trade discussion featured Lindor, so glad they never caved in. There are enough other quality pieces to build an offer around that I wouldn’t touch Mejia/McKenzie either.
Never know what you’re getting? It’s not like he goes and lets the team down at the most important part of the season and his career by hurting himself on some freak drones…
Yeah, seems random. There’s a long list of players besides Bauer that would be preferable to Bartolo.
His struggling can not happen to a better guy.
When the 2014 Mets opening day starter isn’t working for you, you can always try the 2015 model!
Let’s not forget they tried the 2011 Mets opener in Pelfrey. And if all else fails the 2013 opening day starter is currently looking for work
At this point, they can have Harvey for a decent offer too!
There’s still a chance we may see one more glorious AB.
At least james shields doesn’t have to worry about having to pitch to colon
As a Braves fan, I can tell you that he’s a big reason why we’re under .500. At least 4 or 5 losses fall completely on his shoulders.
If he blows his first start, you guys better go ahead and release him, because he will not get better and he will bring your record down all by himself.
As an Indians fan, I say if that happens…….keep him.
When I checked the other morning Atlanta was 500
???
He was already slotted to pitch against the Dodgers next week
Best of luck to Colon heck I hope it dominates and rides off to the buffet with a bang
Big Sexy back in the bigs!
I think Big Bart should be traded around for the rest of the year to beat Dotel’s record. I’ll pencil in the Cubs for September after they win the division.
happened to see some of Gee shutting down on a good Lehigh Valley lineup (hoskins, cozens, alfaro, crawford, kingery) a couple nights ago.
If only Kirby Puckett(may he R.I.P.) was here to play centrefield with Bart pitching, then they could eat out the whole clubhouse after the game. Go Bart, you legend.
Yes, two very good solid citizens… :/
Looks like all Colon needed to do at AAA was prove he could walk from the dugout to the mound and back. In one appearance, he definitely showed he hasn’t lost a thing since his Atlanta days. Here’s betting he’s DFAd within two weeks or less…
And he just barely made it, only because the mound is closer to the dugout in the minors.
Batting practice pitching is all that is left in the tank for big sexy.
Please take your 12.5 mil for this season and do baseball a favor and go to the retirement home now.