The Next Yankees’ Trade Target: Bartolo Colon

Jul 5, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Bartolo Colon (40) pitches against the Texas Rangers during the first inning of a game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Before Yankees’ fans load up the comment inbox with fat jokes, let me be the first to remind you that Bartolo Colon prior to this season, won a combined 28 games over the past two seasons with the Oakland Athletics. I am also well aware that the former Cy Young winner was suspended for his use of performance-enhancing drugs. As we recently learned about Alex Rodriguez, that type of activity doesn’t seem to stop the Yankees from pursuing a player that can help them win games.

The 41-year-old had a previous stint in the Bronx during the 2011 season, one in which he finished 8-10 with an ERA of 4.40. Colon has a very manageable 2-year contract for $20 million dollars. While Big Bart might be long in the tooth, the Yankees are thin on arms, and are scouring everywhere for anyone that can be an upgrade due to the injuries to Ivan Nova, C.C. Sabathia, and Michael Pineda. Yanks Go Yard was one of the first to discuss the recently-acquired Brandon McCarthy as a viable trade target. Now we set out sights on Colon (thanks to Scott Alfano), who has logged 150+ innings in each of the past three seasons coming into 2014.

It’s not as if Colon is having a horrible season across town in Queens. He’s currently 8-7, with a 4.04 ERA. His FIP over the past 2-plus seasons including 2014, is 3.62–more than serviceable for a trade target. According to reports from both NJ.com and the NY Post, the Mets are now listening to offers for Colon. The Amazin’s are in the middle of another lost season, and are looking to shed unnecessary payroll where they can.

While the $20 million they agreed to pay Colon is not a big deal to the Yankees, it is a VERY big deal to the cash-strapped Metropolitans. Colon could serve as a viable back of the rotation starter for the Yankees next season as well, with the uncertain future of Sabathia, and Nova recovering from Tommy John surgery. Don’t laugh. Coming into 2014, Colon had a 4-2 record, with a 3.11 ERA against the American League East. For the price of a couple lower-tier prospects, and eating (no pun intended) the remainder of his current deal, the Yankees can indeed find another answer to the continuing starting pitching issues.