Whither Bartolo Colon?

The New York Mets have 34 games to play in this frustrating season – wasn’t this supposed to be the year? – and there’s nothing really left for which to play, other than being a spoiler. Whatever chance they might have had for this year to be special disappeared when the front office became paralytic at the trading deadline. While it’s true that no one move could save the season, there were “fixes” that could have been enacted that would signal a commitment to winning sooner, rather than later. Since then it’s been a desultory blur of non-existent offense and faltering bullpen, good for an August record of 8-12. For the month, they’ve been outscored by 22 runs. Let’s face it, the Mets have the look and feel of a team that’s succumbed to the dog days – stopping just short of saying they look like they’ve given up.

However, with less than six weeks left in the year, there are still moves to be made. There are players who have been placed on waivers – practically every player in MLB is right after the deadline – and even a few who have gone unclaimed. That means they can be moved to any team that wants them, for a possibly fine return: lest we forget, John Buck and Marlon Byrd brought the Mets Vic Black and Dilson Herrera in a waiver deal last August. For some odd reason, though, the Mets most marketable asset, the player who would be in much demand for a down-the-stretch contender, has not yet hit the waiver wire.

Bartolo Colon could help a team out. Heck, he’s helped the Mets get to where they are – imagine the record without Colon’s contribution. He has pitched well and considering his past, one would think he’s doing it all without any pharmacological help this time around. For any team with post-season aspirations, he’d be a good “get.” The Dodgers, for example, look a tad thin after Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke. The Cardinals are always looking for arms, as are the Giants. The most likely candidates, though, would appear to be the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. By now, most of us have seen the horrific video from last night, showing Angels ace Garret Richards crumbling to the ground and howling in pain as his right knee simply gave way. Before Richards could be wheeled off the Fenway first base line, most Met fans gave a collective “ah-hah!” Far be it from me to sound like a ghoul or a war profiteer, but now would be the time to contact Angels’ GM – and former Met – Jerry DiPoto. There are a couple of players who might be attractive to the Mets in the Anaheim system. A C.J. Cron, an Efren Navarro or even a return appearance by Collin Cowgill, plus some minor league fodder might pique interest in Queens.

But first, he needs to be put on waivers.

Follow me on Twitter @CharlieHangley.