The Royals, Angels and Dodgers were each in the running for Bartolo Colon, but according to reports - each of them are backing out.
Bartolo Coloncleared waivers on Monday with no team claiming the 41-year-old starter from the New York Mets. Colon is scheduled to earn $11 million next season when he will be a 42-year-old.
According to reports, multiple teams were interested in the veteran pitcher, but those organizations refuse to pay his hefty salary. The Royals, Dodgers, and Angels were each in contention to trade for Colon. However, all three seem to be backing away. Although the Angels need a pitcher, they might nevertheless pass on Colon.
The Mets are looking to ship Colon elsewhere in an August deal like they did last year when Marlon Byrd and John Buck were sent to the Pirates. Byrd proved to be a strong acquisition for the Pirates, and the Mets received Vic Black, who has been one of the team's best pitchers coming out of the bullpen, and burgeoning second base prospectDilson Herrera.
If the Mets were to deal Colon, it would likely enable them to spend more money on a shortstop or another outfielder during the off season. Colon has a 3.82 ERA in 25 games started this year with 12 wins and 170 hits allowed in 167 innings.
As one of the most consistent pitchers in the National League, he would be a solid starter for any team in contention for a playoff run.