The New York Yankees should take a chance and name Bartolo Colon as the fifth starter in the Yankees rotation. It's a risky move, but one that could pay off big time and make all of us forget that there was ever a competition for that fifth slot.
I can't blame them if they go with the safe choice in Freddy Garcia, who is probably more durable and reliable and has been successful on the big-league stage. But Colon has shown something this spring, flashes of the guy who was a Cy Young winner and one of the most dominant pitchers in the game.
Is his health a concern? Absolutely. Is his weight an issue? Definitely. But Colon would be making the team as the fifth starter, a job that comes with very little pressure. All he’s going to be expected to do is throw five solid innings (solid being only giving up about three runs) every five days (and not even that often at the beginning of the year). The talented Yankees bullpen and deep lineup will take care of the rest. Following Colon this spring, I think he gets exactly what the deal is and would do the job well.
Iconic, successful teams don't play it safe. The Yankees are an iconic team and their best chance at success this year is for Joe Girardi, Larry Rothschild and Brian Cashman to all trust their eyes and cast aside their doubts and go with the guy who has pitched the best rather than the guy with the least question marks.
Garcia is the safe choice. Colon is the better one.
Thanks to Keith Allison and UCinternational via Wikipedia for the photo.
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