Royals Sign Jeremy Guthrie to Three Year Deal

The Royals are reporting that they have signed Jeremy Guthrie to a three-year contract that will take him through 2015, his age 36 season. Financial details are not yet known. (EDIT: 3 years $25 million, with only $5 million allocated to 2013). The Royals were previously said to be unwilling to go beyond two years for the right-hander.

3 more years in Kansas City! I couldn't be more pleased & excited! Thanks to the Royals & all the great fans for your support.

— Jeremy Guthrie (@TheRealJGuts) November 20, 2012

Guthrie was 8-12 with a 4.76 ERA last season split between Colorado and Kansas City. He fared much better in Kansas City after being acquired for Jonathan Sanchez, posting a 3.16 ERA in fourteen starts, including ten "quality starts." He had a disastrous 6.35 ERA in Colorado, although his road ERA was just 4.05. Guthrie suffered a sharp decline in strikeout rate in Colorado, but it spiked back up in Kansas City, and he generally strikes out 5 per nine innings, while walking 2.5.

Guthrie has been a workhorse, making 30 starts or more in four of the last five seasons, with the only exception being this year when he was pulled for ineffectiveness, not injury. He has topped 200 innings pitched three times in his career, but has also led the league in losses twice.

The rotation as of today is Jeremy Guthrie, Ervin Santana, Luke Hochevar, Bruce Chen, Chris Volstad/Luis Mendoza. Preparations for the Plaza Parade are forthcoming.