Could Colon Be On The Move?

When last offseason hit, the New York Mets knew they were going to be in need of pitching help. With Matt Harvey, the team's ace on the DL after Tommy John Surgery, the club needed somebody at the top of the rotation. That's where 41-year old Bartolo Colon came into the picture, as the team signed him to a two year, $20 million deal back in December. He has put up solid numbers so far with the Mets this year, there's no denying that. Now the question is will Colon be around at the end of the season with the club?

Colon was placed on, and cleared, waivers yesterday, making him eligible to be moved in a trade. There are a few teams, who are in pennant races at the moment, that have shown interest in the Mets 41-year old hurler. There is one thing, though, that has teams questioning the deal a bit. That would be the $11 million that Colon is due to make in 2015, the final year of his contract. Of course, if the Mets do decide to move the veteran hurler, they are going to either try to get a player of possible value in return, or just make a deal to possibly clear cap space.

Now before we even get into where he may end up, if dealt, there is some benefit for the Mets if they can possibly ship Colon. Sure the Mets would like to try to get something of value in return for Colon, in terms of players that can help the team out in the long run. At the same time, if the Mets can't get a player of value in return, the team would likely be happy to have him off the payroll. He’s been steady in his first season in Queens, but the Amazin’s have plenty of pitching and could use the extra money to add additional talent in the offseason. When the Mets first began tossing the idea around last month, the team said that they would eat $2 million of the $11 million that he is owed for next season (WFAN).

It would make sense for the Mets to try and move Colon. It could either get them players that can either help the team out or could be moved again for more talent. It could clear up cap space for the Mets to spend money in the offseason to build their roster. The team has plenty of arms ready for next season with the Likes of Gee, Neise, Harvey, Wheeler, De Grom and Syndergarden, so there is plenty of arms for the Mets for next season for that rotation. Colon will be a good addition to a club for the stretch run, as he is 12-10 with a 3.82 ERA and 130 strikeouts. He’s issued just 22 walks in 167 1/3 innings pitched. All of this coming in his 25 starts this year.

Now the question is, where is Colon going to be headed? There are three teams that have been reported as being interested in the Mets ace: the Royals the Dodgers and the Angels. They are considered by many to be the teams most likely, if at all, to contact the Mets regarding Colon. The Royals, in my mind, would be a last resort because they have enough pitching to hold them over and get them through the playoffs. Both Los Angeles teams would have a need for him. The Dodgers need a fifth starter at the back end of the rotation, but the front end of that rotation is so top heavy they may not have a need for him. The Angels are the one team of the three who would have the most need for a guy like Colon. Injuries have left the Angels rotation thin behind Jared Weaver and CJ Wilson. So if any trigger gets pulled it looks like the best option for Colon would be the Angels.

So if the Mets do move Colon, they are hoping to be able to get something of usable value in return for his services.