Kristie Ackert of the NY Daily News is reporting that Bartolo Colon intends to pitch in 2016. Colon, who will turn 43 next year, has won a total of 218 games in his career and hasn’t been showing any signs of slowing down.
“I think for personal records I think I was OK. I know 14-13 means a lot for me. I think I did everything in my power to help the team and put it in position to win,” Colon said. “For me, personally, it was a success.”
One reason why Colon is committed to coming back is that he wants to pass Pedro Martinez with the second most wins among Dominican born pitchers. Martinez is just one win ahead of Colon with 219.
“For me to be with Pedro second most wins by a Dominican is special, but I know Pedro was a better pitcher than me.”
Colon has a chance to put an exclamation point on his already solid season if he can pitch well in the playoffs. He might be the Mets’ fourth starter in the NLDS as Steven Matz‘s status is in doubt.
While I have been skeptical of Colon at times throughout his tenure, there’s no denying that he’s been a very good signing. He’s won 29 games with New York, and he has been a tremendous influence on all of the team’s young pitchers.
However, Colon’s contract expires after this season, and he may not fit into the Mets’ plans going forward. They will still have a deep rotation without him, especially with the expected return of Zack Wheeler late in the season.
