Mets' Colon: 'I would be delighted to come back' in 2017
If the New York Mets are interested, Bartolo Colon - the oldest player in the major leagues, turning 44 in May - would love to bring his myriad talents back to Queens next year.
"If they gave me the opportunity, I would be delighted to come back," Colon recently told ESPN's Adam Rubin through an interpreter.
Colon - the universally beloved, charmingly plump right-hander with something of a cult following - was expected to spend considerable time in the bullpen in 2016 after inking a one-year, $7.25-million deal with the Mets this winter, but, due to rampant injuries, emerged as one of the club's most dependable starters this season.
Heading into his Labor Day start against the Cincinnati Reds, the four-time All-Star owns a 3.35 ERA - his best since 2013 - with a 1.24 WHIP through 27 starts and one relief appearance, logging more innings (158 2/3) than every Mets pitcher except Noah Syndergaard.
"He has absolutely saved our rotation by going out there with those quality innings. The wins are great, but it's the quality innings that he delivers every time he goes out there that not only saves the starting pitchers, it saves the relievers, too."
Colon, who ranks third among Mets pitchers in WAR (7.8) since joining the club in 2014, also sits just 13 wins shy of Juan Marichal's record for career wins by a Dominican-born pitcher (243) - a record he could conceivable break next year.
"I'm pleased to be doing good work. I did expect to be in the bullpen at this point," Colon said. "I'm very thankful for the opportunity to still be starting."
Colon wouldn't speculate, however, as to whether he has another two seasons left in the tank.
"Who knows?" Colon said when asked if he'd come back for a 21st major-league season in 2018. "Next year could be my last."