O'Dowd made better move trading for Guthrie

New Rockies' pitcher Jonathan Sanchez

Colorado Rockies' general manager Dan O'Dowd finally was unable to unload Jeremy Guthrie by shipping him to Kansas City for pitcher Jonathan Sanchez, a familiar face from his days as a San Francisco Giant. Who's happier, O'Dowd or Guthrie, can be debated. What also can be debated is did O'Dowd get enough in trade return and did he really make such a terrible decision to trade for the former Baltimore pitcher?

Guthrie has not come close (6.35 ERA) to being what the Rockies thought they were getting and paying for so of course his value to other teams was low because it could be. Truth is, if Guthrie isn't hurt (and he might be), then he should have drawn more compensation because outside of Denver, he's much more likely to resemble the player he was for the Orioles.

Many contending teams could have plugged Guthrie into the no. 4 or 5 starter slot and he could have proven effective or worse case, he could have been a middle-to-long reliever who spot started and achieved there too. Coors Field and the Rockies' experience were his dragon, not a sudden inability to pitch.

Sanchez once was a solid pitcher (3.07 ERA in 193 1/3 innings in the 2010 season) but has not looked since, with key marker numbers (K's, BB's, hits-per-nine, K/BB rate) have been regressing, and his ERA, 4.26 last year is 7.76 this season. He looks either hurt or nearly out of MLB life.

O'Dowd wanted that dependable 200-innning pitcher and Guthrie appeared to be an affordable choice. While Guthrie bombed miserably at Coors' Field, the risk was likely worth it because of Guthrie's resume (3 seasons of ERA's under 4.00 and an overall ERA of 4.12 in 5 seasons with the club in the American League East) and the cost - Jason Hammel, who appeared to be injured or slipping in performance.

Hammel started strong with the Orioles but his ERA has gone up a run and a half since the end of April. He's having a career year, which he likely would not have had for the Rockies and he likely to return to this normal pattern in 2013.

So what's it mean? O'Dowd took a risk. It failed. It could have, however, paid dividends that made him look smart, very easily. Hammel has pitched above his norm and Guthrie failed. It was a move worth taking. It didn't work. It happens sometimes.

The deal that sent damaged goods Guthrie to Sanchez is probably a worse trade because Sanchez strongly appears to be hurt or at the end of the line while Guthrie just needed a new employer.

In the end, the Rockies' dump salary and all the negative Guthrie stories in the media to come the rest of the season. Sanchez won't succeed this season for the Rockies as a starter. As a reliever, maybe but don't expect that either.

Rockies analysis from San Diego loss

Drew Pomeranz was, for a lack of a better word, shelled Friday, giving up nine hits, including four for extra bases, and seven runs in only three innings at San Diego. The lefty is trying to find consistency at the big-league level. In four starts since being recalled from Colorado Springs, Pomeranz has looked strong twice and poor twice. 

Rockies' Prospects Spotlight

Triple-A outfielder Matt McBride has six hits in his last two games and is now hitting a robust .353. McBride does have 30 doubles but only seven homers. That lack of power will limit how any big-league club will value him. His average though, even for the offensive-minded Pacific Coast League, impressive.

Outfielder Charlie Blackmon, McBride's teammate, is now hitting .302 at Colorado Springs, not impressive for the PCL but over his last 10 games he's hitting at a .489 clip with six doubles and two homers. That does get recognized. He continues that and he'll be back with the Rockies in 2012.

Triple-A pitcher Edwar Cabrera allowed three walks and three (unearned) runs in only six innings Thursday. He struck out nine. His ERA is now 3.48 in four starts. He's competing and showing quality stuff but he's too hittable (18 in 20 innings) and his control is surprisingly lacking (11 walks).

Tri-City (short-season) reliever Ryan Arrowood is looking strong. His 0.87 ERA in 20 2/3 innings, 20 strikeouts and no home runs allowed is a quality line.

Peter Tago pitched his best game as a pro, throwing eight shutout innings, allowing only three hits on Friday. That's the sort of brilliance the Rockies thought they were buying when they drafted Tago high in the 2010 draft, not the pitcher who had an ERA of over 7.00 for much of his time as a professional. 

High-A pitcher Tyler Matzek allowed three runs, two earned, in six innings after giving up 20 runs in his previous 10 innings. His talent - big. His inconsistency is consistent and his penchant for terrible outings - maddening.