Yankees Sign Bartolo Colon...Owners of NYC Are White Castle Restaurants Rejoice!

The Yankees finally have the starting pitcher they've been looking for.  Well, not really, but they did sign one of note.  According to Jon Paul Morosi of Fox Sports, the Yankees have signed Bartolo Colon to a minor league contract. 

I think Corrye summed it up best when he texted:  "So apparently Fernando Valenzuela wasn't available..."  He has a  point.  After all, what could the Yankees possibly want from a 37 year old pitcher that's produced a 5.02 FIP and 2.3 WAR in 257 innings over the past five seasons?  What possible value could they get from a washed up pitcher?

In reality, they're probably not expecting a whole lot.  As it currently stands, the Yankees have a pretty shallow rotation with Ivan Nova and Sergio Mitre filling the back end.  Signing Colon is a move to add depth.  In all likelihood, they'll stash him in AAA until someone either gets hurt, or proves to be ineffective.  Considering Colon's low salary (maxes out at $900K if he makes the club out of Spring Training), he poses absolutely no risk to the Yankees.  If he doesn't work out for the Yankees, it's no big deal.  $900K is a drop in the bucket for a team whose payroll typically tops $200M.  If he does provide some value, it's a huge win for the Yankees.  Granted, that scenario is pretty unlikely, but it's still possible.

When you look at the signing from all of the angles, the Yankees really can't lose.

Bartolo Colon Has Three Suitors? Really?

Bartolo Colon looking svelte and toned as always...

According to Nick Collias of MLB Trade Rumors, the Rangers, Indians, and Yankees have expressed interest in signing right-handed starting pitcher Bartolo Colon.

...Colon told reporters in the Domincan Republic yesterday, "Texas, Cleveland, and the Yankees are interested in me." 

The Indians had been known to be watching Colon's progress, and Colon had previously mentioned that he "maintains conversations" with the Yankees, but the Rangers' interest hadn't been previously reported. Asked if he had a preference among the three clubs, Colon simply said, "I'll go with the one that signs me.

I have a hard time understanding why anyone would take a chance on Bartolo Colon, 37, at this point.  Colon, plagued by various shoulder maladies, hasn't pitched effectively in the majors since 2005 when he won the AL Cy Young Award.  In parts of four seasons since that time, Colon put up a 14-21 record with a 5.18 ERA, and 2.3 WAR in 257 innings, while splitting time between the Angels, Red Sox, and White Sox. 

Colon did not pitch in the majors in 2010.  He did pitch in the Dominican League's regular season, and put up a 1.47 ERA in seven starts.