A few weeks back I read an interesting story on Hardball Times that analyzed Bartolo Colon’s bounceback capability. In it, author Josh Kalk discussed the possibility that Colon’s 2007 stats — 6.34 ERA, a 1.62 WHIP, and a .320 batting average against — were the result of an inordinately high BABIP (.364), which is batting average on balls in play. In short, Colon was more unlucky in 2007 that he’d been in the past, when he was a Cy Young winner and weighed less than a Mini Cooper. Given this stat (and many others I didn’t comprehend), Kalk said Colon would be a great risk-reward option for teams like the Rangers and Royals in 2008, because Colon (according to Kalk, anyway) projected to a 4.40 ERA and 120 innings pitched this season. Considering what Julian Tavarez provided in relief of Curt Schilling and Tim Wakefield last year — 23 starts, 6 wins, 11 losses, 5.22 ERA — doesn’t Colon sound like a nice option now that Schilling has gone down again?
Given the dearth of quality pitching in MLB, I can’t believe no team offered him a major-league deal. Then again, if I were Bartolo Colon, who’s never won a World Series and probably doesn’t need the money, I’d prefer signing a minor-league deal with the Sox — with the opportunity to pitch your way onto a playoff-caliber team — than ink a major-league deal with Kansas City or Texas, where quality pitchers go to die.
Crook: Colon has been pretty darned fragile the past few years, you know. He gets injured, then manages to come back for a while, then gets injured again. Hope they didn't offer him too much money. With the weight that he carries and his lack of work out regimen, his back can't be in too good of a shape, nor his shoulders either.
It's a non-guaranteed minor league deal, so there's no risk at all. Colon is 3 seasons removed from a Cy Young, so he can't have forgotten everything about successful pitching. But, like you said, he's a fatty, so I'm not holding my breath that he'll win 20 games. But if Boston can shake 7-12 good starts out of him, well, that's gravy.
How ironic this guy surfaces again. It wasn't but a month ago, I was lobbying for the Yankees to pass on Santana and get Colon.
Don't get me wrong, I am not saying he is better than Johan, just that I thought he could help and I did not support the 150M it was going to take to get Santana.
i'm not psyched about this pick up but no harm no foul. its a minor league deal. if his shoulder is fine and he returns to form, great. if not, no big loss moneywise.
Josh, I judge it this way: If the Yankees had signed him to this deal, I'd be bummed, for the reasons you mention. Consequently, I like it a lot. We're not relying on him. Anything we get is a bonus, and if Colon's healthy, he can still bring it.
It's not much o####amble for the Sox, who already have a far better rotation than most teams.
Colon, when healthy, is a streaky player. He'll be Cy Young caliber one year, and be god awful the next. I don't see him rebounding, but the Sox can certainly afford to take the risk.
crookdnose
The Sox are prudent when it comes to deals such as this. While the outlay for him won't amout to much in terms of money. The reward'll be immense if it turns out that he can have a productive season for the Sox. And if anything who knows about the health of Schilling when it's all said and done ? They've not got anything to lose in the end.
Cameron Martin. Finalist in Fox Sports Next Great Sportswriter contest. I cover the Red Sox for Comcast SportsNet New England and Major League Baseball for
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