Colon, Rangers agree to Minors deal
ARLINGTON -- The Rangers and Bartolo Colon agreed to a Minor League deal on Sunday, with an invite to Spring Training. The 44-year-old right-hander will earn $1.75 million plus incentives, according to a source.
"Bartolo brings a track record of durability and success in the Major Leagues," general manager Jon Daniels said. "He pounds the strike zone and provides quality competition for our rotation."
Colon would provide starting-pitching depth for the Rangers, as their current rotation stands to be Cole Hamels, Martin Perez, Doug Fister, Matt Moore and Mike Minor. The Rangers also intend to give Matt Bush a chance to start.
Colon, who won an American League Cy Young Award with the Angels in 2005, was 7-14 with a 6.48 ERA in 28 starts for the Braves and Twins last year. His 6.48 ERA was the second highest among Major League pitchers with at least 25 starts. His .318 opponents' batting average was the highest.
However he made 33 starts and one relief appearance for the Mets in 2016 and was 15-8 with a 3.43 ERA. If he pitches in the Major Leagues in 2018, it will mark his 21st season.
Colon currently ranks first among active pitchers with 240 wins and 528 starts. He is a four-time All-Star.
Colon pitched for the Mets in 2014-16 with Dan Warthen as his pitching coach. Warthen is now the assistant pitching coach for the Rangers.