Mike Puma of the NY Post reports that the Mets are still unsure if they will go after a bat at the trade deadline, and that no teams have contacted the front office about Bartolo Colon.
industry sources told Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, that the Mets have made the veteran right-hander available as the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline approaches.
Rubin also said the Mets were not yet believed to be engaged in serious talks about Colon, and it is not a foregone conclusion that he will be dealt.
It may still be early for teams to be checking in yet on Colon as most are still trying to assess their biggest needs and what they are willing to give up. A major league source predicted dialogue would increase in the next week.
The Mets’ wish list in trades includes an upgrade at shortstop over Ruben Tejada and a power-hitting left fielder to join Juan Lagares and Curtis Granderson as the primary outfielders.
July 13
Teams are continuing to check in with the Mets on Bartolo Colon according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.
Cafardo says Colon is drawing the attention of teams who cannot afford elite pitchers like David Price and Jon Lester.
The veteran righthander is perfect for teams that are looking to add value, experience, and middle-of-the-rotation depth.
MLB Trade Rumors has linked the Blue Jays, Angels, Orioles, Brewers, Indians, Pirates and Mariners as potential suitors for Colon who is earning $9 million this season, and is due $11 million in 2015.
Last week, the buzz was that the Mets could stand pat at the deadline and Sandy Alderson has said on more than a few occasions that the team could be buyers depending on how the team does as we get closer to the deadline.
With the team winning and on the upswing, trading Colon could send the wrong message to the fan base unless he could flip him for a major league piece.
Alderson admitted that the time for accumulating prospects has passed and that the team is no longer in that mode of operation. But it’s difficult to see him turning down an offer that may include a top-flight prospect and give him a chance to unload Colon’s contract.
We’ll see what happens in about two weeks.
July 11
During his post game press conference after Thursday’s 3-1 loss to the Braves, Terry Collins admitted to reporters that the team has been frustrated by the first inning troubles by starter Bartolo Colon.
“I don’t know what it is,” Collins said. “We certainly have searched and searched and searched and haven’t fixed it. We’ll keep working.”
The Mets had Colon throw longer than usual in the bullpen before the game, hoping it would get him more warmed up for his first frame. However, Colon was tagged for a pair of first inning runs to put the team in an immediate deficit to start the game.
ESPN New York points out that Colon has allowed 18 first-inning runs, trailing only Philadelphia’s Kyle Kendrick (23) in the majors this season. The total matches the most allowed by a Mets pitcher before the All-Star break in the past 40 years.
Opponents are hitting .363 against Colon in the first inning this season, compared with .246 the remainder of his outings.
“I’m just having a little trouble early,” Colon said. “I’m going to work to change that.”
Still, despite allowing three runs over the first four innings, Colon held the Braves scoreless after that and was still battling in the eighth inning and gave the Mets a chance to comeback and win. The Mets offense however, was stymied by Aaron Harang and were only able to push across one run in the game.
“He gave us eight pretty good innings, but we can’t keep falling behind,” Collins said of Colon’s performance.
There’s a chance that Sandy Alderson could deal Colon before the trade deadline at the end of this month, and the hope is that the veteran right-hander can increase his value. But he’s now lost three straight decisions and has allowed a combined 13 earned runs over 21 innings.
Collins would prefer to keep Colon and as long as the Mets stay in the hunt Alderson could just opt to hang onto the 41-year old and instead deal him in the offseason.
In fact, the growing buzz is that the Mets may just stand pat at the deadline unless someone offers a player or players who can help the major league roster now. Alderson himself admitted that the time for accumulating prospects has passed and that the team is no longer in that mode of operation.
