Reports: Braves Sign Bartolo Colon

In a bit of a surprise, multiple reports say the Atlanta Braves have snatched Bartolo Colon away from the Mets, signing baseball’s elder statesman to a one-year deal for $12.5 million.

Colon was a fan favorite and also performed very well in New York, going 44-34 in his three years here, including a record of 15-8 with a 3.43 ERA last season.

But Colon will turn 44 years old in May. And while it would have been nice to have him around as insurance in case one or more of the Mets young starters cannot stay healthy, that price was just too hefty at that age. Sandy Alderson apparently feels comfortable with Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman as backup starters.

They are doing some interesting things in Atlanta. In addition to Colon, they also signed former Met R.A. Dickey this week. He’s a baby compared to Colon — a mere 42. They are opening a new stadium and want to be competitive. I’m not sure signing two fortysomethings is the way to do that, but what do I know?

In any case, Bartolo Colon and his adventurous at bats are gone from Flushing. It’s not a terrible thing; the $10 million or so the Mets had budgeted for him can now go to improving the rest of the team.