Whether with New York Mets or elsewhere, Bartolo Colon plans to pitch in 2016

He’s coming back!

Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports that New York Mets pitcher Bartolo Colon plans to pitch in 2016. The 42-year-old is in the final year of a two-year, $20-million deal with the Mets, and is scheduled to be a free agent this winter.

More from New York Mets

• New York Mets: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Pete Alonso makes good after “brain fart” that drew ire of St. Louis Cardinals fans
• New York Mets: Saturday’s disastrous doubleheader against Braves is nail in coffin
• Steve Cohen won’t let Max Scherzer spoil his grand New York Mets plan
• New York Mets: Fire sale continues as Max Scherzer now a Texas Ranger

With New York boasting more than enough young arms to fill out a rotation next season, it appears that Colon’s time with the Mets will conclude whenever the team’s season ends this year. But if he does decide to come back next season, he shouldn’t have too much trouble finding work. In 31 starts this season, Colon has posted a 4.18 ERA and been a quality source of innings (193.1) for a largely-young Mets pitching staff. He’s also shown nearly impeccable control of his pitches, leading baseball with a 1.1 BB/9 rate.

While he seems better positioned to land with a National League team next winter, the righty is also just two years off of receiving Cy Young votes as a member of the Oakland Athletics. Perhaps those days are over, but Colon could still serve as a solid consolation prize for clubs in both leagues that miss out on big-ticket pitchers like David Price and Johnny Cueto this winter.

Another season would also mean a shot at a few accolades for Colon, as he’ll likely pick up his 220th win and pitch his 3000th career inning should he remain healthy through the early part the season. A good year could also allow him to pick up his 230th career win, as he sits just 12 shy of that milestone (though we know Pitcher Wins don’t actually matter).

A one-year deal in the $7-8 million range seems likely for Colon as he sets his sites on his 19th big-league season, and teams like Seattle, Philadelphia, Atlanta and Boston could all be interested in his services, though that’s just my speculation.