The lovable 43-year old starting pitcher appears to be leaving the New York Mets for a division rival.
Just four days into the new free agency signing period, the dominoes are beginning to fall all around Major League Baseball.
Coming off a last place finish in the National League East, the Atlanta Braves have been early buyers so far. After signing 2012 Cy Young award winner R.A. Dickey to a one year contract yesterday, the Braves added another piece to their starting rotation today in 2005 Cy Young award winner Bartolo Colon.
For Colon, this will be the ninth different team he’s suited up for over his soon-to-be 20-year MLB career.
While it seems likely that he will not experience the same team success that he could have had if he stayed in New York, he is just about guaranteed a spot in Atlanta rotation. It is safe to assume that the Mets could not guarantee a place in the rotation to Colon, as they are hoping for healthy Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler to join incumbent starters Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom, and Steven Matz.
For Colon, a downgrade in team meant a serious upgrade in salary. His one-year contract with the Braves is reportedly set to be a $12.5 million deal.
Colon’s $12.5M salary with #Braves will be his highest since 2007, when he earned $16M with #Angels. Made $7.25M with #Mets last season.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 11, 2016
As for the Braves, they certainly can afford to spend big money for a veteran starter on the last leg of his career. Colon and Dickey will be the elder statesmen of a young Atlanta rotation, led by ace Julio Teheran. Other starters in the mix for the final two spots are Mike Foltynewicz, Matt Wisler, Aaron Blair, and Rob Whalen.
It’s great news for fans everywhere that Colon is staying in the National League, guaranteeing at least one more season of that legendary swing.
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