The only way I can reconcile the Jeremy Guthrie trade is to assume that the Orioles think that he has served his due and now deserves a chance to win…but not to win too much. Perhaps this is ultimately a nice gesture – like when Mel Mora got a chance to change scenery after his best years came and left.
In all seriousness, I expect little from the combination of Lindstrom and Hammel. Honestly I doubt that the Orioles’ brass thinks differently. This is simply a way to get rid of a guy, not because he cost an outrageous amount of money or because he was a clubhouse cancer mind, but because they were going to get rid of the guy anyway.
Perhaps we can take this for a nice gesture to Guthrie: enjoy not pitching against #1s (well maybe Matt Cain once in awhile or Madison Baumgarner) in the AL East. As his twitter said, no more fun for Nick Swisher. Well, I ‘m sure the O’s can yet oblige until the staff finally irons out (which should take another three years to solidify and mature as a unit). Best of luck in another baseball town, Jeremy.
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