The Atlanta Braves made what was thought to be a safe signing bringing in innings eater Bartolo Colon. Colon has been unable to deliver this season however, getting drubbed with regularity.
Adding Bartolo Colon to the Atlanta Braves rotation was thought to be a good move in the off-season. Colon has been a pitcher that eats innings and keeps his team in games. Relying on movement and not velocity there was little reason to think he would not continue to be that player.
Not only has he not been that player he has been the worst starting pitcher in the Major Leagues with the worst qualifying ERA and unable to pitch deep into games. The amount of runs he is giving up as well sink the Braves into early holes that the offense is unable to climb out of.
As hard as it may be for the Braves to admit their mistake it is time to admit that signing Bartolo Colon was a mistake and it is time to give one of the Braves younger arms a chance. Whether to designate Bartolo or to move him to the bullpen could be debated either way though moving Colon to the bullpen hardly makes the bullpen any stronger.
Sean Newcomb is the clear choice to replace Colon he is one of the Braves top pitching prospects and has shown improved control and leads the AAA starters in ERA and innings pitched. Bringing up Newcomb could be the needed shot in the arm that the Braves need to push them closer to .500.
The team has struggled but has the talent and ability to get over .500 if they can fix their rotation to better support a surprisingly good offense. Moving on from Colon is the first move in that direction and one that the Braves should announce soon.