[Reaction] Mets Agree to Terms with SP Bartolo Colon

The New York Mets dealt with their need for a starting pitcher today, signing Bartolo Colon to a 2-year contract worth $20-million (NY Post). Colon is 40 years old and has pitched for many teams including the Indians, Angels, Yankees, and most recently the Athletics (Baseball Reference).

Pitching last year for the A's Colon went 18-6, posting a 2.65 ERA and finishing 6th in AL Cy Young Award voting (Baseball Reference). Fans immediately took to Twitter voicing their opinions on what turned out to be a very controversial signing for the fan base.

Colon pitching for the A's (photo:Getty Images)

I find myself very conflicted on this signing. One the one hand Colon posted great numbers last year and good ones in 2012, but at the same time he has a history of steroid use and inconsistency. His cheating past is not much reason for me to discredit his numbers from the past couple of years but it is reason for me to dislike his character. Colon has always been fishy to me, from reports of him visiting experimental doctors (New York Times) to taking testosterone supplements (NY Daily News), he has repeatedly been in the spotlight for bad reasons. Many people believe that his experimental treatment contributed to his amazing comeback, made even more amazing by his old, heavy-set build.

Regarding his stats, Colon has been inconsistent his entire career. His ERA and every other major stat have gone up and down year-after-year since his '02 season (Baseball Reference). Though Colon's past two seasons have been phenomenal for someone his age, the problem is just that--his age. At 40 years old and with his track record, I don't believe the Mets should've signed him for as much as they did. After the 2009 season his career looked spiral downward to a close, but then he came back miraculously recovered from his injuries and has pitched well since. The question remains how long he can duplicate those numbers, and whether or not his age and past will catch up to him.

[Reaction] Mets Agree to Terms with Curtis Granderson

Earlier today the Mets finished their quest for former Yankee Curtis Granderson, signing him to a 4-year deal worth $60 million (. Granderson is an accomplished, three-time all star outfielder who has shown power and fielding prowess in recent years. The veteran is also a lefty bat, something the Mets were in desperate need of.

Granderson talking to media (photo:Deadspin)

I agree with this signing on multiple fronts. It addresses multiple club needs in one go: an outfielder, a powerful bat, and a lefty bat. Granderson has proven that he can handle outfield duties, commanding a .994 fielding percentage over ten years, including starting centerfield positions for the Detroit Tigers and the Yankees (Baseball Reference). Though many believe the short porch in Yankee Stadium's right field has helped "Grandy" in recent years, his power numbers have been astounding--Granderson ranks 5th in the MLB in ABs between homers with 15.5 over the past 3 years (Mets.com).

I don't believe his hitting prowess is in dispute or should be. Though he missed most of last season sue to injury, in 2011 and 2012 Granderson clearly showed what he can do. Between those years he had 84 home runs and 225 RBIs (Baseball Reference)--numbers good enough for him to place fourth in AL MVP voting for 2011.

All-in-all it's great to see such an optimistic and spot-on move from management, and what makes it even sweeter is the reactions of Yankee fans everywhere. Between Granderson and Cano, the "shmankees" are losing control of their fan-base and their image.