What kind of season will Bartolo Colon have? Read a season preview and provide your own projection.
"A Day In The Life Of Bartolo Colon" would probably be the greatest original program ever produced by SNY. It would help answer many questions. What does Colon eat? How often? Does he exercise? What supplements does he take? How much sleep does he get? These questions and more fly through my head every time he takes the mound. We need answers, SNY. How has he been so successful into his 40s with that physique?
The Mets had enough confidence in that physique to sign Colon to a two year, $20 million contract this offseason. The signing was generally praised, and rightfully so. Colon had the sixth-best ERA and second-lowest walk rate for qualified pitchers from 2012-2013. That kind of performance usually commands a much higher salary, so the Mets got a nice bargain even considering the age and injury risks.
My biggest Colon concern is not body mass-related, it's home run-related. Considering all the flyballs he generates, he has surrendered fewer home runs than expected over the last two seasons. Citi Field isn't a launching pad, but it's still more pitcher-friendly than O.co Coliseum (the A's stadium) in terms of home run suppression. I expect he will allow more longballs in 2014 than in recent seasons, but still remain a useful pitcher.
Post your Colon projection in the comments in the same format as below. I'll compare our projections to actual results at season's end.
IP: 171
ERA: 3.49
K: 104
BB: 29
HR: 18