KC Royals: Time To Re-Sign Jeremy Guthrie

The KC Royals don’t need another pitcher at this point in time, but that shouldn’t stop them from re-signing Jeremy Guthrie…as a coach.

The KC Royals made some moves yesterday that really make the 25-man roster start to take shape. They released pitchers Brian Duensing and Peter Moylan and also parted ways with Clint Barmes.

The Royals only have a few remaining spots up for grabs with players like Chien-Ming Wang, Reymond Fuentes, Tony Cruz, Drew Butera, Whit Merrifield, Travis Snider, and Terrance Gore all vying for a spot on the roster. Wang, Merrifield, and Fuentes have all had a good camp and it would be a bit surprising to see them not earn a shot.

The KC Royals’ Surprise Stadium partners the Texas Rangers also parted ways with some veteran pitching yesterday afternoon as they released former Royals’ pitcher Jeremy Guthrie.

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He was ultimately granted his release to seek out a spot on a Major League team somewhere and there are teams that could use him either in the bullpen or as a fifth starter. Young staffs like the Phillies or Reds could certainly benefit from his veteran leadership and could afford to carry a guy like Guthrie as they won’t be competing for a title this season.

Jeremy Guthrie should strongly consider signing with a team that is a contender, if the team will have him. The KC Royals should make room for Jeremy Guthrie in their organization in some sort of coaching capacity or in a way that allows him to be present in the dugout and the clubhouse.

Guthrie is on the wrong side of 35 and while he’s been durable in his career, it’s hard to argue that there’s much of anything left in the tank as a pitcher. He has plenty to offer as a mentor and clubhouse leader.

Acquiring a ‘good clubhouse guy’ isn’t without precedent for the KC Royals. They traded for Jonny Gomes last season where he got in a whopping 30 at-bats before not being added to the postseason roster. They brought him in because he was known for being a leader in the dugout.

In 2014, the Royals brought in Raul Ibanez as that team leader who would play only a part-time player role for the Royals. He is widely considered the catalyst for the turnaround that the Royals experienced in the middle of the 2014 season.

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Both of those people were brought in as players, but the Royals don’t really have room to carry a player like Guthrie at this point. Choosing to retire as a player is probably one of the hardest, if not the hardest, moments that a player will ever go through.

While no one can make that decision for Jeremy Guthrie, if he doesn’t make a Major League roster, he should seriously consider hanging up his spikes and pursuing a different role.

He’s going to work his way into an organization in some non-player capacity if he wants to. He’s got a good knowledge of the game and is just smart in general having played his college ball at Stanford.

He’s well liked and respected as a leader in the clubhouse even though he’s never been the most dominant player on the team. He’s acted as a translator for some of the players and been a mentor to a young group of Royals over the last few seasons.

He loves Kansas City and the town loves him back. Pete Gratoff wrote a great article about Jeremy Guthrie titled There’s Nowhere Else In Baseball Like Kansas City. It’s well worth the read.

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He likely would take a job with the KC Royals if one was offered to him and if he decides that his playing days are over. For now though, I wish Jeremy Guthrie nothing but the best of luck in whatever road he chooses to go down.

What do you think KC Royals’ fans? Should Jeremy Guthrie keep playing? Should the Royals find a spot for him on the coaching staff? Do bench leaders have any impact on the game? Let me know your thoughts in the comments’ section below.