Royals Trade Jonathan Sanchez to Colorado Rockies for Jeremy Guthrie

After Monday’s awful start, the Royals designated left-handed starter Jonathan Sanchez for assignment, which gave them ten days to trade or release him.

Turns out they found a taker.

Jon Morosi of Fox Sports reported that the Royals sent Jonathan Sanchez and his 7.76 ERA to Colorado for Jeremy Guthrie and his 6.35 ERA. It’s a typical “change of scenery” deal as both have struggled this year, though Guthrie’s troubles can be somewhat attributed to Coors Field, as he has a robust 9.50 ERA in 41.2 innings there this year but a 3.67 ERA in his 49 innings outside of Denver.

The two are different pitchers. Sanchez has always been a high-strikeout, high-walk guy and Guthrie has been the opposite. His career strikeout rate is 5.4 K/9. He’s walked 2.7 per nine innings over his 1111 career innings.

Guthrie will make $8.2 million this year (Sanchez is making $5.6 million), so the Royals will take on salary. To get anything for Sanchez, who was miserable, is worth trying for, especially with Guthrie’s splits factored in. The Royals now don’t have to try a carousel of spot starters to get through the season after injuries to Danny Duffy and Felipe Paulino and what was assumed to be Sanchez’s impending release.

Guthrie’s an innings eater, reaching 175 innings pitched or more every season since 2007. If he can be effective, he can give the bullpen a rest on his scheduled days.

If you’re the type, you can follow Guthrie on Twitter at @JGuthrie46.