Royals Hot on Bartolo Colon?

According to the Mullet on AOL, who heard from MetsBlog, who heard from MLBTradeRumors, who heard from Impacto Deportivo (through Google translator), the Kansas City Royals might be about to sign Bartolo Colon — clearly one of the fattest free agent pitchers this side of Bob Wickman.

Or, there could be something lost in the translation.

This is what happens when there’s no real news in the blogosphere for a few days …

Why the rebuilding Royals would have interest in Colon I’m not sure. My best guess is that the equipment manager threatened to turn Runelvys Hernandez’s old jersey into a parachute if they didn’t get a new player to fit into it.

Over at USS Mariner, there is a well-written, in-depth discussion on Colon, which suggests that he may be the “hidden gem” of the offseason crop of free agent pitchers. The numbers are well-researched and provide excellent support for the argument. However, the stats do not tell the story of Colon’s health, which is questionable at best. Also questionable are the reports that Colon is “pitching well” in winter ball — he’s pitched all of four innings thus far.

Whatever the case, I won’t lose sleep if the Mets let Bartolo slip away to Kansas City. It’s probably a better plan for everyone all around.

Anyway, trying to uncover the Bartolo Colon mystery this morning was entertaining, if nothing else. And during my struggle to read through the original Spanish and Google-translated versions of Impacto Deportivo, I did find out that Edwin Encarcion’s cousin died, which allowed Victor Diaz to get into the starting lineup for the Aguilas (Eagles) Cibaenas, and Vic smashed a three-run homer to win the game. Although Diaz is hovering around the Mendoza Line, but that homerun makes 8 on the winter (the league leader had 8, and I think they’re in the postseason now) — he’s putting one over the fence about once every 20 ABs. I wouldn’t mind seeing him get a minor league contract and an ST invite, but won’t hold my breath, either. Nelson Cruz, who we briefly mentioned yesterday, is among the league leaders in batting average at .318, has smacked 4 homers and 5 doubles in a little over 100 ABs, and has a fairly impressive .860 OPS. I have a funny feeling the Mets will sign or acquire at least one bat and one arm out of the Dominican League before spring training begins.