Bartolo Colon still not ready to call it a career
Even though he did not pitch in 2019, Bartolo Colon has no intention of retiring just yet.
After two mediocre showings in 2017 and 2018, it was not a surprise that Bartolo Colon was unable to find an interested team for the 2019 campaign. Although he had indicated an interest in continuing to pitch last season, Colon was unable to find any takers for his services.
It would be understandable if Colon took the hint and decided to call it a career. Instead, he refuses to retire, saying that he is looking to pitch once again in 2020. At this point, he is hoping to sign a minor league contract and work his way back to the majors, proving that he still has what it takes to succeed.
Even if such an offer is not forthcoming, Colon has options. He indicated that he would be willing to pitch in Japan should he be unable to attract a minor league contract. Colon also reportedly has offers from teams in the Mexican League, giving him options for the upcoming season.
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It is easy to understand why major league teams would be leery of making an offer to Colon. In those two aforementioned seasons, he posted a 14-26 record, along with a 6.13 ERA and a 1.465 WHiP. Over his 289.1 innings, he struck out only 170 batters, albeit with just 60 walks.
As Colon will be turning 47 years old in the middle of the season, it is easy to count him out from being a productive major league option going forward. Yet, the same could have been said after he missed the entire 2010 campaign, signing a minor league deal with the Yankees back in 2011.
Colon is a lot older at this point. And his glory days are further behind him, with his All Star season with the Mets feeling as though it occurred in the distant past. However, there is something to be said for a pitcher who can take the ball every fifth day, eating innings like so much barbeque. At little cost, Colon could be a potential low risk option at the back of a rotation.
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Bartolo Colon may not have pitched last season, but he is not done yet. In fact, he has options should his desired minor league contract not materialize.