MLB Rumors: Bartolo Colon a potential trade target for contenders?
By Hayden Kane
The New York Mets certainly won’t be confused for a contending team in 2014. While they sort out their situation at manager and try to find the right mix in the lineup to point things the right direction, they will also have the option to be sellers at the trade deadline and replenish their farm system.
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Bartolo Colon signed a two-year deal with the Mets this past off-season for $20 million. At 41 years old, that second year of team control can be viewed as a bit risky. But with the quality pitching he somehow continues to deliver start after start, that could also be a great value…as long as you’re willing to stomach the fact that Bartolo Colon is 42 years old and on your roster.
Peter Gammons points to Colon as a possible trade target for contending teams like the Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, and the Baltimore Orioles. He notes that the cost in terms of prospects would be less for these teams and that it would free up the Mets to develop top prospect Noah Syndergaard.
Gammons does not one potential hesitation about trying to aquire Colon:
"“What you worry about with Colon,” says one AL GM, “is when he breaks down.”"
The concern is understandable, especially given Colon’s checkered history. Then again, if Colon does break down it is going to be a stark contrast from the way he is pitching right now.
Through 13 starts Colon is 6-5 with a 4.15 ERA. His peripherals suggest a guy who is pitching better than that: he has a 3.54 FIP (fielding independent pitching) and his K/9 is up to a 7.2 mark. Also, there’s this:
Colon could be a good value for one of these teams, and he will raise their entertainment value to boot.