It was the winter of 2012, and the question for the A’s was whether they should take the risk of re-signing right-hander Bartolo Colon at age 39.
Oakland did bring Colon back on a one-year $3 million deal, and he enjoyed an 18-win season in 2013 and made the All-Star team.
Here it is, three years later. Who would have guessed Colon, six months shy of his 43rd birthday, would be planning to return for a 19th major league season? He’s hardly the most sought-after name in a loaded free agent starting pitching market. But Colon’s performance last season for the New York Mets suggests he might have another quality year in him, and he should be affordable on a one-year contract.