A source told Andy Martino of the Daily News tweeted that “There’s absolutely nothing brewing on trade talks for Mets pitcher Bartolo Colon at the moment.”
Jon Heyman gives 5 reasons why the Mets will likely get stuck with Colon and the guaranteed contract they gave him for 2015.
1. He is 41 and will pitch at 42 next season (“At some point the end comes, and he’s going to be 42,” one AL scout pointed out);
2. While he has held up remarkably well he wouldn’t appear to be in tip-top shape (he’s listed as 283 pounds);
3. He is due to make $11 million next year;
4. The market is current flush with big names in their prime.
5. Among teams seen as having some interest, San Francisco already filled its rotation opening with Jake Peavy, while Seattle appears to be looking for the moment at the top-tier guys, including David Price, Jon Lester and Cole Hamels.
Colon, 41, pitched into the eighth inning Monday night and left the game to a standing ovation at Citi Field. In return, Colon applauded the fans as he disappeared into the dugout. He surrendered one run and lowered his ERA to 3.88 ERA for the season.
The veteran righthander sees and hears the rumors and says he is unfazed by them.
“I know there’s talk about it because it’s everywhere, but I don’t really pay attention to anything anyone is saying,” Colon said. “I’m happy here and would like to stay here, but it’s really not up to me.”
July 28
CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman reported that the San Francisco Giants acquired Jake Peavy from the Boston Red Sox on Saturday for a pair of minor league pitching prospects; Edwin Escobar and Heath Hembree.
The rumor mill was buzzing about a potential deal between the two teams over the last week or so. And on Friday FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal tweeted that the Red Sox and Giants were in serious discussions.
This puts the kibosh on any chance the Mets had of trading Bartolo Colon to San Francisco, but there’s still quite a few suitors out there for the Mets to deal with.
The Mets are reportedly willing to pay some of Colon’s remaining $3.5 million salary this season, but are unwilling to pick up any of his $11 million due in 2015 when he turns 42. That makes Colon less attractive to teams as the Mets were the only ones willing to give him a guaranteed contract for two years.
The Mets have said they feel no pressure to move Colon and are content hanging onto him, but I’m not buying it. Are you?
July 22
Citing a source close to Bartolo Colon, ESPN Deportes is reporting that the San Francisco Giants have expressed interest in acquiring the 41-year-old right-hander.
Colon is scheduled to pitch Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. He is under contract for $9 million this season and $11 million in 2015.
Danny Knobler also heard the Mets are trying hard to move Colon. Sources have told ESPN New York that the Mets are receptive to trading Colon with the team considering itself deep at starting pitcher.
The Mets have Daisuke Matsuzaka they can turn to, Jeremy Hefner nearing a return from elbow surgery, and prospects Noah Syndergaard and Rafael Montero in Triple-A. Plus Matt Harvey is due to return from Tommy John surgery next season.
