Don't worry Jeremy if the O's sign Bedard then you are odd man out. All the pressure will be gone. Dont get me wrong I wish you the best and appreciate what you have done but you have now become trade bait if it happens and another bullpen arm. (IMO)

Good luck

Why would he be the odd man out?? He is a workhorse. Bedard would be lucky to see action until Mid-Summer at the earliest.

I don't know. What is Guthrie supposed to say in response to idiotic questions about whether having Millwood in the rotation will make it easier for him to pitch to major league hitters?

Guthrie is simply acknowledging the obvious, his performance is his responsibility. I would be more worried about him if he had answered the question differently.

Why would he be the odd man out?? He is a workhorse. Bedard would be lucky to see action until Mid-Summer at the earliest.
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According to what McPhail has been seeing and saying he thinks Bedard would be ready by opening day. So you generally don't have 6 starters unless you in Japan or want to waste a roster spot.

I agree totally with Pete. I sort of like what Guthrie said, actually, seems like he's getting mentally prepared for saddling his own responsibilities. I think Guthrie's a mentally tough player, generally. I do wish he'd get more Ks with that 94-mph heater, though...

Roberts did agree with the conventional wisdom (that being the #1 preyed on Guthrie's mind a bit), so there might be something to it. I tend to think that if there's a bounce-back (and lord I hope there is) that it will have more to do with not going to the World Baseball Classic next year.

Kudos to Guthrie telling it like it is instead of helping to pass out the Orange Kool-aid.

I think it was a great answer, too. Guthrie is a stand up guy. Last year was last year; i'm sure he wants redemption, even though he wasn't as bad as was portrayed. Too many longballs, thats about it.

Pitching is focus and preparation. I expect he will lower the ERA down to 4 or so, with no WBC to interrupt this year's spring

I can't help but think that the pay cut Guthrie took last year beforethe start of the season didn't play some part. I suspect the O's will split the difference this year at the 11th hour and Guthrie will at least be rewarded for being the innings eater that he was last year. At least he shouldn't be continually matched up with the other team's ace this year. hoping this is a rebound year for him this year.

Kevin, Guthrie's not being "Mr. Upbeat," as you call it, because he's being Mr. Realist. He knows it's still his responsibility to go out and pitch every fifth day whatever slot he has in the rotation and getting Millwood doesn't affect that one bit.

Jeremy said on more than one occasion last season that being the Opening Day starter isn't that big a deal because once through the rotation it doesn't matter how a pitcher's slotted in the rotation.

So the comment of his that you "dissed" is just nothing new for him. He'll approach each start the same way he did last year.

However, I agree with you that there may be some uncertainty for him, but that's to be expected after such a rough season. For a pitcher with his talent to have such struggles had to be extremely taxing on him.

I'm not too concerned, however, because of Guthrie's mental toughness. He should be able to make 2010 a rebound year and move forward to a solid career. If Millwood's signing helps in any way, so be it, but it will still be Guthrie who has to get the outs when on his days to pitch.

One thing about Jeremy to admire in what you quote and elsewhere is that he's a stand up guy, who's never made excuses for bad performances and who assumes responsibility when he's out on the mound. I hope he gets things turned around and is with the Orioles when they finally turn things around (which we hope will be soon).

Steve 'Sno Sno', Could you please cite a source for your remark that MacPhail thinks Bedard will be ready by Opening Day?

All I've heard him say is that the Orioles have received Erik's medical records. So far I haven't even seen one article reporting that Bedard's even started throwing again, so it's tough to imagine him being ready by the time the season begins.

If you have any link that I might have missed, could you please provide it here? I do frequent Google searches on Bedard and have yet to see anything of the sort, but, as I say, I could have overlooked something. It would be great news if you're right.

Have to agree w the majority here. Guthrie is being a realist. Now he may and should be concerned about developing another pitch because the book is out on him and I personally saw the farthest a baseball can be hit in Oakland when Holiday lit him up, along w Jack Cust. Crushed! But out of all the Oriole pitcherss, including Millwood, I think Guthrie has the moxie to rebound, regardless of what Brian Roberts or any other flys think. Btw hey BRob how bout staying focused for 162 yourself Chachi, we can poke some wholes in your effort last year too homey.

I might be in the minority, but I think Guthrie's late 2008 injury was more to blame than the WBC or the pressures of being the staff-ace. This season will be a toss-up, but Guthrie's always had the potential to turn in a special season.