Nice move by BoSox

[lovethegame]

Bartolo Colon for a maximum 1 million dollars is a fine idea
Minor league deal that if he's healthy could give them a proven big time starter for by MLB standards pittance.
Noone expects the Cy Young Colon but solid innings and 10-12 wins would be a good return

[Erik Bedard]

He was barely hitting 90 in winter league. There's a reason nobody else would touch him. 10-12 losses for Pawtucket is more likely.

[Old Sweater]

I think it's a very good investment for 1mil these days.

No more money then what a good young reserve outfielder or infielder costs and could have a better team value at the end of the season.

There is a lot of pitchers that top out at 90 that cost a heck of a lot more.

[Mild Sauce]

For $1 million that's a great risk to take. He'll probably never be what he was, but you never know if he'll eventually be able to at least be a shadow of himself, which could provide the team with some help somewhere.

[NJMetfan4life]

I'd sign for $1 million. I'm a great set-up man if you have a big lead, and a closer in need of a save.

[BoSox Rule]

He won't pitch enough for the big club to win 10-12 games. Come on.

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

They've got a solid stock of starters, but it never hurts to have a guy with the experience of Colon available to fill in in case of injury. I'd rather have him as a 6th starter than some young guy. Can't really criticize the move, since it's only $1 mil either.

[Mattingly]

Has he been hurt the past 2 seasons? He's had just 28 starts and <160 IP over the past 2 seasons.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/c/colonba01.shtml

Has he needed surgery or something? Even Mark Prior (http://www.baseball-reference.com/p/priorma01.shtml) hasn't dropped off the face of the Earth like this.

[Zagi-CRO]

They've got a solid stock of starters, but it never hurts to have a guy with the experience of Colon available to fill in in case of injury. I'd rather have him as a 6th starter than some young guy. Can't really criticize the move, since it's only $1 mil either.

I think they dont need Colon, he could be a 7th starter, after Lester and Tavarez.
The BoSox have also Bucholz, Masterson...

[Imgran]

I think they dont need Colon, he could be a 7th starter, after Lester and Tavarez.
The BoSox have also Bucholz, Masterson...

Buchhholz, yes, Masterson will need a few more months experience before he should be called on for anything even if his AA ERA lies. But we do also have Devern Hansack who has earned a chance somewhere with some team somehow. I keep hoping some small market team will offer something useful for a solid-looking starter who'll be cost-controlled until age 36 him so he can get to show his stuff before major league crowds.

[Zagi-CRO]

Buchhholz, yes, Masterson will need a few more months experience before he should be called on for anything even if his AA ERA lies. But we do also have Devern Hansack who has earned a chance somewhere with some team somehow. I keep hoping some small market team will offer something useful for a solid-looking starter who'll be cost-controlled until age 36 him so he can get to show his stuff before major league crowds.

BoSox could do better job with a rotation like this:
Beckett - Matsuzaka - Lester - Wakefield - Schilling - Buchholz
and Tavarez and a few prospects - Lars Anderson, J.Masterson, M.Bowden.
Better then Colon, I think.

[Imgran]

What's Lars Anderson doing in that list? He's a first baseman. Maybe you were thinking of Dustin Richardson?

[BoSox Rule]

Colon shouldn't be counted on for anything really. He probably ranks behind these pitchers right now on the depth chart of those who will start a game or may start a game.

Beckett
Matsuzaka
Wakefield
Lester
Buchholz
Tavarez
Snyder
Hansack
Pauley

[Zagi-CRO]

What's Lars Anderson doing in that list? He's a first baseman. Maybe you were thinking of Dustin Richardson?

Yes, it was my fault.

[lovethegame]

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080313&content_id=2424107&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
sounds like he is doing just fine and with the Schilling season and its millions in the toilet it looks like a very savvy move signing Colon
90-94 with steady 92-93 in early spring not bad

[Old Sweater]

I have to agree that the Red Sox are looking smarter all the time with the Colon signing. He didn't have the best 2 ip by far but the arm strength is there.

[lovethegame]

agreed, the Sox were hoping for high 80's and the mid 90 consistency has to excite them

[lovethegame]

Colon won his first start
looked sharp and came out strong
nice million dollar risk

[SamtheBravesFan]

Seems like he did fine, considering that he pitched five and his count was 74 pitches.