Despite being away from the majors since the 2018 season concluded, Bartolo Colon has not given up on retiring after one last season with the New York Mets.
When last we saw New York Mets fan favorite Bartolo Colon, he was dominating slow pitch softball. The hefty pitcher was a force with the bat, belting moonshots as though he was facing James Shields once more. But despite his prowess on the softball field, Colon still had aspirations of returning to the majors.
Those dreams have not faded. He still wants one more year in the majors, and to retire as a member of the New York Mets.
Bartolo Colon wants to play one more year in MLB and retire with the Mets.@StevenACohen2 @Mets @LosMets pic.twitter.com/EjuSW0WV3G
— Héctor Gómez (@hgomez27) November 26, 2020
It is difficult to imagine that Colon has much left in the tank. His last two seasons in the majors, in 2017 and 2018, were a disaster. He posted a 14-26 record with a 6.13 ERA and a 1.465 WHiP in his 289.1 innings after leaving the Mets. While he still threw strikes at an impressive clip, Colon was also getting hit hard, allowing 60 homers in that time.
But he has not given up. Colon has continued to throw and train for a comeback. He had even signed to pitch in the Mexican League for the 2020 season before the pandemic led to a canceled season. Had he performed well there, Colon could have had the springboard he desired to return to the majors.
For the Mets, signing Colon may not be a terrible move. He would likely be agreeable to signing a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training, earning a spot on the roster. Otherwise, he could serve as depth in AAA, someone to bring up in the event that injuries decimate the rotation. Even doing that would further the love that Mets fans have for new owner Steve Cohen.
In the worst case scenario, Colon would get his wish to retire as a Met. He could call it a career at the end of spring training, getting to say farewell in an exhibition game at Citi Field. Then he could go back to what he had been, grilling steaks and hitting mammoth homers in softball.
Bartolo Colon is not giving up on returning to the majors and retiring as a member of the New York Mets. Maybe, just maybe, this dream can come true.