Breaking down the Rockies- Orioles trade

The deal: The Colorado Rockies acquire RHP Jeremy Guthrie from the Baltimore Orioles for RHPS Jason Hammel and Matt Lindstrom.

Impact on the Rockies: Colorado had been looking for an inningseating veteran to fill the void left by the late July trade of Ubaldo Jimenez and the absence of lefty Jorge De La Rosa, who is not expected back from elbow surgery until about June 1.

Guthrie, 32, fits the bill, pitching at least 200 innings in each of the last three seasons. He was the Orioles’ opening- day starter for the third time last year and will likely earn that distinction with the Rockies.

Colorado is bursting with young rotation candidates such as Jhoulys Chacin, Drew Pomeranz, Juan Nicasio, Alex White and Tyler Chatwood, so a veteran was a priority.

Guthrie is hardly the definition of an ace, though, having gone 47- 65 with a 4.12 ERA in his five- year stint with the Orioles. His 17 losses last season led the American League.

Guthrie is used to pitching in a hitter- friendly home park, but he’ll have to adjust to the thin air and large dimensions that make Coors Field a challenge for pitchers, especially those who aren’t overpowering. However, he’ll face more pitcherfriendly lineups in the National League West than in the AL East.

Impact on the Orioles: The team won’t save much money. Guthrie avoided arbitration by signing a one- year, $ 8.25 million deal with the Rockies; Hammel and Lindstrom will earn a combined $ 8.35 million. Hammel, 29, will vie for a rotation spot. But in 2011 Hammel went 7- 13 with a 4.76 ERA and saw his rate of strikeouts to walks dwindle from 3.0 to 1.4.

Hard- throwing Lindstrom, 31, has closing experience and will pair with Jim Johnson in the late innings. He registered a career- best 3.00 ERA in 54 innings last year.