Bartolo Colon is in the Clear?
By Sean Davis
No, no, no… not that “the Clear.” We don’t wish to go down that road anytime in the near or distant future. Not again. And if the article published in the New York Daily News is to be believed, the A’s will not have to worry about their ace of 2013 Bartolo Colon being taken away from them like he was in 2012. The report also states that 50 game suspensions appear to be in order for any players who have not been previously disciplined for offenses relating to their involvement with Biogenesis. That puts Blue Jays outfielder, and Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal in the clear as well.
July 21, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Bartolo Colon (40) celebrates his 6-0 complete game victory against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Who isn’t in the clear though is of much more intrigue around baseball. Most notably Nelson Cruz of the Texas Rangers, and Jhonny Peralta of the Detroit Tigers – two players who could have a direct impact on the Athletics quest for the postseason. A 50 game suspension taken now would allow the players to return for the final week or so of games during the regular season, and would make them fully available for the postseason. The Tigers got involved in today’s Jake Peavy deal, and netted themselves a replacement shortstop in Jose Iglesias from the Boston Red Sox. There’s no question this move was made with the upcoming suspensions in mind. Now the Tigers likely won’t miss a beat if and when Peralta is suspended.
For the A’s, the simple fact that Bartolo Colon should be allowed to complete the stellar 2013 campaign he’s started is wonderful news for everyone. The Athletics may have reduced their urgency to add more starting pitching in fear of losing Colon. That doesn’t mean that in this writer’s opinion they shouldn’t still be exploring trade possibilities though, but that’s for another time and another article.
The cloud that has been lurking just over the horizon for Bartolo Colon appears to be dissipating, or at least heading in a different direction. And that has to make everyone in the Athletics organization breathe a whole lot easier.