Bartolo Colon will return to the Oakland Athletics for 2013 after signing a one year contract for $3 million with incentives. Colon made $2 million with Oakland in 2012.
The 39-year old Colon provided a solid veteran option in an A's rotation that was populated by younger pitchers last season. In 152 1/3 innings over 24 starts, Colon had a 3.43 ERA while striking out 91 and walking 23. His 1.36 walk rate was the lowest of his career. His last start of the season was on August 18th after a positive test for testosterone resulted in a 50 game suspension for the veteran. That suspension hasn't been fully served, and he'll still need to sit out the first five games of the 2013 season
This isn't a bad signing for the A's at all, and gives them a little bit of flexibility this winter. With Colon safely in the fold for 2013, the team will have to rely on youngsters that didn't get a full season in the majros like AJ Griffin and Dan Straily less, perhaps easing them more gradually into starting every fifth day. Colon's re-signing also makes the A's a bit less likely to bring back Brandon McCarthy, a free agent who is getting a lot of interest this winter despite a fractured skull last September.
