Rockies Trade Jeremy Guthrie to the Royals for Jonathan Sanchez

As the deals start to heat up with the trade deadline fast-approaching, more well-known players are being

dealt.  The Royals acquired Jonathan Sanchez last season from the Giants – and sent Melky Cabrera to San Francisco – in hopes that Sanchez could help bolster their staff.  He hasn’t been able to do so.  Now, the Royals have traded him to Colorado for Jeremy Guthrie.  According to the Associated Press and releases on both team sites, the deal was a straight trade.

Sanchez was designated for assignment by the Royals this week after going 1-6 with a  7.76 ERA in 12 starts.  In 2011, Sanchez made just 19 starts and posted a 4.26 ERA.  His best season was in 2010 when he was 13-7 with a 3.07 ERA.  He also pitched a no-hitter against the Padres in 2009.  However, the Royals vastly over-estimated his true talent and vastly under-estimated Cabrera’s true talent when making the deal last fall.

Jeremy Guthrie is not much better.  He is 3-9 with a 6.75 ERA this season in 15 starts.  He has a 4.37 ERA and has never really had a standout year.  In Cleveland and Baltimore, Guthrie was pedestrian at best.  He has not not fared much better in Colorado.

The biggest incentive for the Rockies to make this deal was probably Sanchez’s age.  He is still just 28 while Guthrie is 33.  Sanchez could regain some of his form and he has time to do so.  If he doesn’t, though, the Rockies didn’t lose much in taking a chance on him.  For the Royals, Guthrie can be inserted into the starting rotation immediately.  After designating Sanchez, they were down a starter.  The benefit there is obvious.

Both the Royals and the Rockies are in last place in their respective divisions.

For more on the Rockies, be sure to check out Rox Pile.  

For more on the Royals, be sure to check out Kings of Kauffman.