MLB Rumors: New York Mets Pitcher Bartolo Colon Wants to Play in 2016
The New York Mets have already clinched the National League East and will be one of the top contenders in the 2015 postseason. Veteran pitcher Bartolo Colon has been a big factor in the Mets success this year.
According to recent MLB reports, Colon "has no plans to retire," and he will pitch next season if a team gives him the opportunity to do so. Colon may be 42 years old, but his 14 wins on the mound this year ranks first on the Mets roster tied with Jacob deGrom and is one more than Matt Harvey. Colon's contract is scheduled to expire this offseason, and will then become an unrestricted free agent.
That same report also indicated that the Mets were unlikely to re-sign Colon given the fact that Harvey and deGron are under contract. Colon doesn't have the speed or anywhere near the velocity he did way back when he won the CY Young Award in 2005, but he brings toughness and endurance. Colon has recorded double digit win seasons the last four consecutive years and he can give a team a high pitch count.
Colon has 218 career victories. That's relevant because he is third on the all-time win list by a Dominican-born pitcher behind Pedro Martinez by just one victory. Juan Marichal has the most career wins by a Dominican starter with 243.
"For me to be with Pedro second most wins by a Dominican is specials, but I know Pedro was a better pitcher than me," Colon said.
Colon has played for nine different teams so he is more than used to pitching in different leagues, areas and systems. Colon even previously pitched for the now defunct Montreal Expos. Colon won't get top dollar on the open market this offseason, but there will more than handful of teams interested in his services. Colon still has good control on the mound, and he can even be a reliable bullpen reliever.
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