The Rangers have signed free agent pitcher Jeremy Guthrie to a minor league contract, tweets Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com was the first to report the two sides were close to an agreement while T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reported it was a minor pact. The deal is pending a physical.
Guthrie, soon to be 37, is coming off the worst season of his career. Pitching for the Royals, he posted a 5.95 ERA (5.62 FIP), 5.10 K/9, and 2.67 BB/9 in 148 innings. A career high line drive rate led to an above normal .315 BABIP (career .284 BABIP). He also had an elevated 14.1% HR/FB ratio although that has been a common problem for him in recent seasons.
Given that Kauffman Stadium is one of the most home run suppressant parks in baseball, a move to Texas’ Globe Life Park is not promising. Guthrie will compete with Chi Chi Gonzalez, Nick Martinez, and others for the fifth starter’s role. Colby Lewis, penciled in as the fourth starter, is recovery from a knee injury. Yu Darvish will also eventually rejoin the rotation mid-season.
In addition to competing for a rotation job, Guthrie provides a very necessary safety in the case of injury to Derek Holland or Martin Perez. Both pitchers have missed most of the last two seasons with various injuries.
Decent pickup, can be a veteran for the young guys in the minor leagues. Or possibly provide some MLB depth in the rotation if needed.
As a Royals fan – I have to say what class act Guthrie is. Very smart, funny, great clubhouse guy – and he gave some important innings to the Royals the past few seasons. Going to miss you in KC J Guts – here’s hoping you can turn it around.
I always liked Guthrie as well. Nice, sinking FB that was mid 90’s as a young man and still had/has good sink as he reaches late 30’s. Shame he got stuck in Colorado in his sole trip to the NL, when it should have been smooth sailing with his stuff in the NL, then getting hurt also in the bike incident..
Kept expecting Duquette to grab him up, especially with Gallardo costing a pick, still think with the pick loss Guthrie would be the better value contract cost and all.
Good luck and hope he proves the nay sayers all wrong once again.
Not sure how you know what he was like in the clubhouse. He’s not much of a pitcher is the only thing we know, right?
Hm. Ok. Yeah, he’s not much of a pitcher yet been able to spend 12+ years in the Majors? Yeah, garbage. He should quit life. You should’ve quit a long time ago since you didn’t make it either. I hate when people are better than me so I’ll say they’re useless SMH.
Loved him in Baltimore too. A great guy for the mid to back of a rotation but it looks like time has caught up with him