Groan … Bartolo Colon?

Yeah, you read that right. The Indians have been scouting former Tribe ace Bartolo Colon, who is attempting to make a comeback in the big leagues.

While Colon hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2009, with the White Sox, he has been pitching well in the Dominican League. He has a 1.54 ERA for Aguilas. That’s pretty good, but then again it is the Dominican League, so let’s not put too much stock into it.

Colon, who is 37, would almost assuredly get nothing more than a minor league deal with an invite to spring training, if signed by the Indians. He’d probably push Josh Tomlin, Jeanmar Gomez and David Huff, who are fighting for the fifth spot in the rotation.

Colon pitched for the Indians from 1997 to 2002, when Mark Shapiro traded Colon to the Expos in his greatest coup. The Indians recieved Lee Stevens and prospects in exchange for Colon and Tim Drew. Those prospects were Grady Sizemore, Cliff Lee, and Brandon Phillips, all all-stars. While only Sizemore and Lee performed as members of the Indians, it was still a huge haul for what turned out to be a half-season rental (he was traded to the White Sox after the season with Jorge Nunez for Rocky Biddle, Orlando Hernandez, Jeff Liefer and cash. Yeah, I’ll take what the Indians got instead.

For now, take this news with a grain of salt. Even if Colon is signed, he likely won’t be much of a factor. He’s 37 and perpetually out of shape. I doubt he even makes the team if signed.

But still, this is yet another trip down memory lane, of a time when the Tribe was a constant contender. If the Indians really think Bartolo Colon can help with returning this team to glory, I’m all for it.