Mets no longer planning to trade Bartolo Colon

The Mets are no longer planning to trade Bartolo Colon this summer, team sources have told Andy Martino of the Daily News.
Writes Martino:
"Now, seeing the benefits of Colon’s experience and leadership, the Mets are not expecting to make him available this July, unless trading him would somehow directly improve their playoff chances. Team insiders say that the plan began to change late last season, as they got to know Colon better."
Colon, 41, signed a two-year deal worth $20 million prior to the 2014 season and is being paid $11 million this season.
So far this season, Colon has posted a 3.31 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in 32.2 innings pitched (five starts).
Thoughts:
The Mets can talk all they want about Colon’s experience and leadership, but it’s hard to believe the team would’ve been against dealing him had Zack Wheeler not suffered a season-ending injury that required Tommy John surgery.
At present, the rotation consists of Colon, Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, Jon Niese, and Dillon Gee, with both Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz in the minors and just about ready to contribute. Rafael Montero, who made a spot start on Tuesday, is on the disabled list with inflammation in his rotator cuff, but the injury isn’t considered serious.
Prior to Wheeler’s injury, I was in favor of dealing Colon this summer, simply because the Mets wouldn’t have had a pressing need for him. With Wheeler now out, the one starting pitcher the team is likely looking to trade is Dillon Gee, since doing so would open the door for Syndergaard, Matz, or Montero to enter the starting rotation.
As far as Colon’s future with the Mets beyond 2015 is concerned, with Wheeler set to return next season and Harvey, deGrom, Niese, Syndergaard, Matz, and Montero all under contract and relatively inexpensive, the Mets will almost certainly move on from Colon.
While Colon is here and healthy, though, he’ll likely continue to do what he has been doing: absorb lots of innings while turning in quality performances more often than not.