Struggling Teams Swap Struggling Starters

The Colorado Rockies have traded right-hander Jeremy Guthrie to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for left-hander Jonathan Sanchez, reports Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports:

Source: #Rockies starter Jeremy Guthrie traded to #Royals for Jonathan Sanchez.

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 20, 2012

Both pitchers were traded this off-season and have both have been extreme disappointments with their new clubs. Guthrie was acquired by the Rockies from the Baltimore Orioles in the trade that sent Jason Hammel and Matt Lindstrom to the O’s, while the Royals dealt Melky Cabrera to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for Sanchez.

On the year, Guthrie posted an ERA 6.35 over fifteen starts and nineteen total appearances for the Rockies. Sanchez struggled getting to an ERA of 7.76 in twelve starts.

Sanchez also struggled with walks this season, allowing more than seven per nine innings while striking out only six over the same frame. Sanchez was designated for assignment following his last start, in which he only went one and a third innings while giving up seven runs.

Both pitchers are set to hit the free agent market following the season. Buster Olney of ESPN reports that by making the trade, the Rockies save $1.1 million in salary:

In making the Jonathan Sanchez/Jeremy Guthrie trade, the Rockies save $1.1 million in salary.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 20, 2012