Source: Red Sox, Colon agree to minor league deal

Source: Red Sox, Colon agree to minor league deal

The Boston Red Sox have reached preliminary agreement on a minor league contract with right-hander Bartolo Colon, a source told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick.

If he makes the Opening Day roster, Colon would provide rotation insurance for Boston, which will be without Curt Schilling, who is working his way back from a shoulder injury.

Under the terms of the agreement, Colon is not guaranteed any money, a baseball source told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney. If he pitches in the major leagues, it will be for a low baseball salary with performance bonuses.

The White Sox, Cardinals and Astros also had been rumored as possible suitors for Colon this offseason. According to Olney, Colon was close to an agreement with the Mets earlier this winter, but New York backed off out of concern for the condition of his pitching arm.

Colon suffered through an injury-marred 2007 for the Los Angeles Angels, posting a 6-8 record and a 6.34 ERA -- the worst of his career.

In his 11-year career, Colon is 146-95 with a 4.10 ERA. He is a two-time 20-game winner, and he won the Cy Young Award in 2005 with the Angels.