Spots open on the 2012 pitching staff:
Jeremy Guthrie signed a one year deal with Baltimore earlier this season. I think he's a free agent when the season ends and I'd like to see the Indians make an offer to get him back in Cleveland.
As you know, I hated to see him leave here in the first place. He was Baltimore's ace the past five years in the tough eastern division.
Guthrie worked at least six innings in 28 starts in 2010, including 11 straight from July 17-Sept. 11. In his first four seasons with Baltimore, Guthrie was 38-48 with a 4.06 ERA in 121 starts. Guthrie is 9-17 with a 4.2 ERA in 31 starts this year. Another 200 inning pitched season. His salary this year was $5.75. The won and loss records doesn't look too good on paper, but considering the ERA vs the record, and Guthrie has been a good pitcher over the past five years.
Guthrie has another 200 innings pitched this year, Masterson is over 200 innings, Ubaldo Jimenez is a 200 inning pitcher, and Carmona has reached the 200 inning mark one time in the past 3 season. I can only imagine the wear and tear saved in the bullpen with a full season of Jimenez and hopefully Jeremy Guthrie.
There was some stuff in the papers that we were interested in Guthrie prior to the deal we made for Jimenez. I'd like to see the pursuit continue. I really don't care where he starts in the rotation, most likely behind Masterson. A starting rotation with Jimenez, Masterson, Guthrie, Carmona, and Tomlin/Talbot is very appealing to me.
Guthrie, coupled with a solid right hand hitting outfielder is on my off season wish list. I'd also like to see a deal made for another catcher. LaPorta out and Santana would be our regular at first base. The last thing we need right now is another plate incident involving Santana.