The Oakland Athletics have reached a one-year agreement with free agent starting pitcher Bartolo Colon. The right-hander’s new deal is reportedly worth close to $2 million, and a source is telling MLB.com that Colon’s contract could include a signing bonus.
Colon’s new deal is a major jump from the agreement he reached last January with the Yankees. At that time, New York was only willing to offer the veteran a minor league deal, with an invite to spring training, which would pay him $900,000 if he made the Yankees roster.
Now, following Colon’s impressive 2011 campaign with the Yankees, the 38-year-old has found a guaranteed deal worth close to $2 million.
Last season for the Yankees, Colon logged more than 20 starts and 100 innings for the first time since his Cy Young Award-winning season in 2005.
Over his 26 starts and 164 1/3 innings pitched in 2011, Colon maintained an ERA of 4.00 to go with his 1.290 WHIP. The right-hander posted a SO/9 of 7.4 to go with his BB/9 of 2.2.
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