The Atlanta Braves have spent the past two days getting much, much older.
After agreeing to a one-year deal with 42-year-old R.A. Dickey on Thursday, the Braves agreed to a one-year, $12.5-million deal with 43-year-old Bartolo Colon on Friday, a source told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
Atlanta now employs two of the three oldest players in the majors.
BRAVES 2017 PROJECTED ROTATION
| PITCHER | W-L | IP | ERA | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Julio Teheran | 7-10 | 188 | 3.21 | 1.05 |
| Bartolo Colon | 15-8 | 191.2 | 3.43 | 1.21 |
| R.A. Dickey | 10-15 | 169.2 | 4.46 | 1.37 |
| Mike Foltynewicz | 9-5 | 123.1 | 4.31 | 1.30 |
| Matt Wisler | 7-13 | 156.2 | 5.00 | 1.33 |
Colon spent the last three years with the New York Mets, becoming a fan favorite and an All-Star for the fourth time in 2016.
Despite his age, he has remained effective and durable. He went 15-8 with a 3.83 ERA and 1.21 WHIP across 191 2/3 innings last season, and has averaged 16 wins and 195 innings over the past four seasons.
The $12.5 million Colon will earn in 2017 will be his highest salary since 2007.
With Colon signing with a division rival, the Mets will now likely be in the market for another starter as Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler are both coming off injuries.