D-backs talking to Bartolo Colon
PHOENIX — Could Bartolo Colon be the fifth starter the D-backs have been looking for?
The D-backs seem to believe so as a baseball source said they were in talks to sign the right-hander.
Colon was 8-10 with a 4.00 ERA in 29 games (26 starts) for the Yankees last season. The 38-year-old did not pitch in 2010 and signed a Minor League deal with the Yankees after undergoing stem cell treatment for elbow and rotator cuff injuries.
Thanks to a strong performance in the spring, Colon made the Yankees roster and was an effective starter before seeming to tire down the stretch. In September, Colon posted a 5.96 ERA and was not added to the team’s postseason roster.
The D-backs rotation currently consists of Ian Kennedy, Daniel Hudson, Trevor Cahill and Josh Collmenter with the fifth spot set to come from a group of young pitchers that includes among others Wade Miley, Barry Enright, Tyler Skaggs, Trevor Bauer and Charles Brewer.
Given the youth and inexperience of that group, the D-backs had hoped to add a veteran fifth starter as added depth in case none of the young starters were able to make the jump to the big leagues.
– Steve Gilbert
Steve Gilbert
If the Dbacks are looking for a post injury low risk / high reward signing, why don’t they look at Webb or Harden instead? Maybe take a shot a Jeff Francis?
Really do not like Bartolo Colon. . .
The solution, if there needs to be one in an experienced veteran innings eater, is in Joe Saunders. Joe wants to be here….. the Diamondbacks want Joe to be here….. so what’s the problem? The Diamondbacks want Joe for a low price. Joe feels that he is worth more than the 1 million dollar price tag that the D-Backs put on him. I feel that Joe will sign with somebody before spring training begins. The D-Backs would help themselves if they negotiate a little higher than their original offer or they can watch Joe pitch, in perhaps, a New York Mets uniform this year.
That being said…. it is not a great loss to the D-Backs if their goal is to save money by trying on some of their talented minor league prospects instead. That may work out but also could be a gamble if they aren’t ready for “the big show” yet. It depends on whether or not the D-Backs feel that they are ready to defend their Western title.
D’Backs loaded on pitching… stick with the youth movement.
http://www.westsideculture.com/sports/2012/1/29/dbacks-strong-arming-the-nl-west.html