Bartolo Colon is not ready to ride off into the sunset, instead hoping to pitch again in 2020 before retiring. And he made it clear that his preference is to return to the Mets.

"If it was up to me, I would retire with the Mets," Colon said on a video call with ESPN. "I would like my career to end in New York."

The 46-year-old Colon, who did not pitch in 2019, pitched for the Mets from 2014-2016.

"That Mets team was really something special," Colon told ESPN. "I've played with 10 teams, but with the Mets, the way all those players treated me, how that entire franchise treated me, from the front office to the kitchen staff, it was amazing. And Mets fans are the best. In the beginning, when they laughed at me every time my helmet fell off, at first I felt uncomfortable. But when I saw how much the fans enjoyed it, I asked for a bigger batting helmet so that it would fall more because it was so much fun for them!"

Colon pitched well and was very durable during his time with the Mets, posting a 3.90 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 588.2 IP while starting 95 games and working in relief three times.

Since leaving the Mets, Colon has not fared well, putting up a 6.13 ERA and 1.46 WHIP over 289.1 IP in parts of three seasons with the Atlanta Braves, Minnesota Twins, and Texas Rangers.

The Mets, who will be without Noah Syndergaard for the entire 2020 season (should it begin amid the coronavirus pandemic) due to Tommy John surgery, could definitely use some rotation depth.

Beyond their expected starting rotation of Jacob deGrom, Marcus Stroman, Steven Matz, Rick Porcello, and Michael Wacha, New York will likely have to rely on some combination of Walker Lockett, Corey Oswalt, and prospect David Peterson if they need to dip into their starting pitching depth.

But while imagining a Colon return is fun, it's fair to wonder if he has anything left in the tank.

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