Outlook for Next Season

Here's an article from Cleveland.com that discusses various potential scenarios that Jeremy Guthrie faces for next season:


Pitching picture fuzzy for Guthrie
Paul HoynesPlain Dealer Reporter

Arlington, Texas -- It looks as if the Indians have run out of time with former No. 1 pick Jeremy Guthrie.

They aren't the only ones who know it.

Guthrie, a Stanford graduate, has been calculating his chances of making the Tribe's pitching staff next year.

"I'm probably in the same situation Brandon Phillips was this spring," said Guthrie. "Their five starters are set, and they've got Fausto Carmona and Brian Slocum behind them.

"So that makes me, probably, seventh or eighth on the depth chart in the rotation and probably 10th in the bullpen. When the depth chart is five [starters] and seven [relievers], the eighth starter and 10th reliever usually doesn't get a job."

Phillips came to spring training in February out of options. The Indians had to keep him, trade him or put him on waivers. They traded him to Cincinnati, where he became the Reds' starting second baseman.

When Guthrie goes to spring training next year, he too will be out of options. It gives the Indians three ways to handle a pitcher they paid the largest signing bonus in club history, $3 million, in 2002. They can keep him, trade him or put him on waivers.

"It all depends what we can do this off-season with our bullpen," said manager Eric Wedge. "We just have to wait and see how the winter plays out."
Guthrie bounced between Class AAA Buffalo and Cleveland four times this year.

He bounced the Tribe's way for the fourth time Sept. 5. Friday night, 17 days later, he made his first appearance, allowing one run on two hits in the seventh inning. One of the hits was Carlos Lee's leadoff homer.

He will probably pitch winter ball in the Dominican Republic or Mexico to let other teams know he's available.

"I know it's better to pitch well in the big leagues, but you never know who's watching when you're on the hill," said Guthrie.

Guthrie signed a four-year big-league contract worth $4 million in 2002. Besides the $3 million signing bonus, Guthrie received a four-year deal worth $1 million.

He started his pro career by going 6-2 at Class AA Akron in 2003. He was promoted to Buffalo, but went 4-9 with a 6.52 earned run average.

Guthrie went 1-2 at Buffalo in 2004, but was quickly sent back to Akron where he went 8-8.

Last year, Guthrie had his best season at Buffalo, going 12-10 with a 5.08 in 25 starts. He made just one appearance with the Tribe.

"I thought last year I pitched well enough to get a chance to go to Cleveland, but there was no opportunity," said Guthrie. "I understand that completely. All five starters were having great years. I think they missed only three starts."

This year, Guthrie, 27, felt he had his best spring training ever. He didn't make the club out of spring training, but was recalled on April 22.

"I felt I threw well the first time I was up," said Guthrie. "I felt I was pitching consistently. But Fausto [Carmona] came up and I got sent down. Fausto had to pitch."

Guthrie's next trip to Cleveland came on June 13.

"I threw well in Buffalo, but I came up and sat in the pen for six days," said Guthrie

Guthrie allowed four runs on six hits in two innings against the Cubs on June 19 and was sent down again. He returned Aug. 12 to start the second game of a doubleheader against Kansas City.

He allowed four runs on five hits in 4 2/3 innings. It was his first big-league start.

"I didn't have a good start," said Guthrie. "I was nervous. I just didn't pitch well.

"That's why I thought I'd get a chance to make a couple of start in September and get a chance to feel comfortable. Some guys get in there right away and get comfortable. For whatever reason it hasn't worked for me."

But the Tribe's six-man rotation only had had room for Carmona and Slocum once Jeremy Sowers was shut down for the year.

Guthrie was 9-5 with a 3.14 ERA in 21 games, including 20 starts, at Buffalo. He struck out 88 and walked 48 in 123 1/3 innings.

There is nothing wrong with Guthrie's arm. He throws consistently between 92 mph and 94 mph. If he pitches well this winter and has a good spring, someone will give him a job if the Indians don't.

He can only hope it works out as well as it did for Phillips.