Article:Bartolo Colon agrees to preliminary minor-league contract with Red Sox

Transaction : This is something I didn’t see coming from a mile away. The last I heard Bartolo Colon was going to sign with the Chicago White Sox pending a physical but its been reported tonight that the other color Sox have reached a preliminary agreement with Colon for a minor-league contract.

My analysis : It’s a good thing Boston has money to spend because this honestly could go either way. He has had a few dominant years (2.93 ERA in 233IP in 2002, 2005 Cy Young award winner) and has had a few injury-riddled terrible years (5.11 ERA in 56IP in 2006, 6.34 ERA in 99IP last season.)

There is a chance that his injuries could be behind him and he could go back to being the dominant right-hander he should be. If this happens, look for him to take over Curt Schilling’s spot in the rotation as Curt goes through his whole rehab/surgery drama. It will help in adding another power arm to the team.

There is an even bigger chance that he still weighs 250+ pounds and won’t break spring training with the club. He will need to shed a lot of that excess weight and make sure his arm is in shape if he wants to stay healthy and prove to everyone that he can still pitch.

Colon throws a mid to upper 90s fastball as well as a variety of off-speed pitches. His disabled list time in 2006 and 2007 was due to a cornucopia of arm injuries (torn rotator cuff, unnamed elbow injury, and pitching shoulder inflammation.)

Source : ESPN