During an appearance on ESPN News a few moments ago, ESPN.com’s Buster Olney said…

“He kind of fell in to (Boston’s) lap.  He actually was close to a deal with the Mets in early January, then the Mets to a close look at his arm and called off that deal.”

…added to by Peter Wade, who provided the above quote…

…since it only took a minor league deal to secure colon, i do wish omar would have taken a chance on him…having colon pitching and getting into shape would make me feel better than having no real back-up plan in case pelfrey is not ready or Orlando Hernandez is not healthy…plus with three minor league pitchers gone in the santana deal, there’s plenty of room…

…hat tip to Rotoworld.com for the link…

…Update…3:30 pm…

According to the Chicago Tribune, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said there is no agreement with Bartolo Colon.

…haven’t we seen this movie before with the White Sox, previously starring Octavio Dotel…

…so, it’s trade for santana or sign hernandez or Kyle Lohse, i guess…which would suggest that Orlando Hernandez will be in the starting rotation, either way…

On Friday, the Rocky Mountain News wrote that the Mets are ‘close to a deal’ with Hernandez.

By the way, according to MLB.com, free-agent Bartolo Colon showed little interest in an incentive-laden deal from the White Sox.

…if colon is holding out for a guaranteed contract, and roster spot, at roughly $8 million per year, i’ll pass…

According to multiple reports, the Indians, Mets and White Sox had been scouting Colon, but all three teams backed off their pursuit in recent days.

…i’ll gladly take Livan Hernandez instead, thank you…if for no other reason than he’ll be ready on opening day and can be counted on the most…i’m not sure he has the biggest upside, but the Mets need to acquire stability, not a gamble, and livan is more stable than garcia and colon…

According Jacques, Colon mainly threw two-seam fastballs in the 88-91 MPH range, touching 94 once in the fourth inning. 

However, Jacques adds, “Despite the results, he hardly looked dominating.”

According to multiple reports, though the Indians, Mets and White Sox had been scouting Colon, all three teams have backed off their pursuit in recent days.

Colon, who has been battling shoulder and elbow problems since 2006, has a career record of 146-95 and a 4.10 ERA in 306 starts.

…as i have said before, i’m not so sure that the Mets need to lock in a spot with a guy like colon right now…if he ends up signing a multi-year deal, as MLB.com once suggested he is seeking, not bringing him to queens will make even more sense…

…i mean, he is worth inviting to camp, but i assume that is he second choice at this point…of course, his options are clearly thinning out, so maybe that is becoming more of an option than we think…who knows…either way, i have no interest in seeing the Mets get more bogged down in players who are clearly on the back nine of a career…

However, in a report for ESPN.com last week, Buster Olney wrote that Colon was ‘on the verge’ of signing with the Mets last week, ‘but the Mets backed off after taking a closer look at the condition of his right arm.’

Today, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that the Indians have lost interest in Colon as well, after watching him throw 87-89 mph in a Dominican Winter League game.

Similarly, the White Sox have  backed off of Colon because of his desire for a mulityear deal, reports the Chicago Sun-Times, who lists the Royals as the favorites to sign Colon.

Last week, Impacto Deportivo speculated that Colon may not be entirely healthy, since he has yet to hit 90 mph, and so clubs may be waiting to see a few more starts before seriously considering whether to sign him.

Colon, who has been battling shoulder and elbow problems since 2006, has a career record of 146-95 and a 4.10 ERA in 306 starts.

…as i have said before, i’m not sure the Mets need to lock in a spot with a guy like colon right now…if he ends up signing a multi-year deal, as MLB.com once suggested he is seeking, not bringing him to queens will make even more sense…

…he is worth inviting to camp, which should be his second choice, but i have no interest in getting more bogged down in players who are clearly on the back nine of a career…

…Update…3:40 pm…

According to MLB Trade Rumors, WHBF-TV reports that Ozzie Guillen was recently in the Dominican Republic to watch Colon pitch and to gauge his health.

However, according to Impactico Deportivo, Colon is scheduled to pitch today.

…hat tip to MLB Trade Rumors for the link…

Last week, a report by Impacto Deportivo noted that the Royals might have been close to signing Colon.

However, it also speculated that Colon may not be entirely healthy, since he has yet to hit 90 mph, and so clubs may be waiting to see a few more starts before seriously considering whether to sign him.

However, today, Impacto Deportivo writes that, despite his streak of two to three good outings in the Winter League, Colon has yet to reach 90–mph with this fastball.

The online newspaper speculates that he may not be entirely healthy, or that he is holding back in fear of getting hurt, and so clubs may be waiting to see a few more starts before seriously considering whether to sign him.

…thanks to Jorge from Puerto Rico for the translation…