Guthrie headed to Colorado (updated)

The Orioles had an arbitration hearing scheduled today with pitcher Jeremy Guthrie in St. Petersburg, Fla., but it's been postponed amid rumors that he's about to be traded. And according to a source, a deal is close with the Rockies that would bring pitchers Jason Hammel and Matt Lindstrom to Baltimore. Hammel, 29, was 7-13 with a 4.76 ERA in 32 games - including 27 starts - for the Rockies last season. He's 34-45 with a 4.99 ERA in 169 games, including 115 starts in six seasons spent with the Rays (three) and Colorado (three). Lindstrom, 31, was 2-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 63 relief appearances last year. He's 12-15 wtih a 3.81 ERA in 312 games over five seasons - three with the Marlins, one with the Astros and one with the Rockies. Guthrie, who was 47-65 with a 4.12 ERA. in five seasons with the Orioles, just tweeted the following: "Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Baltimore anymore." Just found out I was traded to @Rockies Guthrie's agent, Brodie Van Wagenen, co-head of CAA Baseball, confirmed in a statement that Guthrie agreed to a one-year deal with the Rockies to avoid arbitration. "Jeremy is excited to join the Rockies and I see this as a positive result for all parties," Van Wagenen said. "Negotiations with the Orioles were steady yet slow and an arbitration hearing seemed possible and even likely. Once informed of the trade, Jeremy decided to make a showing of good faith and agreed to a deal within the Rockies' payroll structure, since he felt it important that his relationship with his new team get off on the right foot. Jeremy is excited about a fresh start with a new organization and a contending team close to home." So who's the opening day starter in the Orioles' rotation? The Orioles will have to clear a spot on their 40-man roster. MLB.com reported that Clay Rapada has been designated for assignment, and he basically confirmed it on Twitter. Guthrie was seeking $10.25 million, and the Orioles countered with an offer of $7.25 million. I'm capable of figuring out the difference, and my math skills are fairly poor. Guthrie made $5.75 million last season, when he led the Orioles with 16 quality starts. That's good. He also tied his career high with 17 losses and became the first pitcher since Kip Wells in 2005 and 2007 to twice lose 17 or more games. That's bad. Guthrie's 48 losses since the start of the 2009 season lead the majors, putting him seven ahead of Fausto Carmona - or whatever the Indians' pitcher is calling himself these days. Anyone who follows the Orioles knows that the offense usually shuts down when Guthrie is on the mound. Not intentionally, of course, but it happens. It's uncanny. Guthrie started out 1-6 in his first eight starts last season, and the Orioles scored a total of 10 runs while he was in the game. They were shut out five times, including three consecutive outings May 2-13. They totaled 124 runs in his 32 starts. I'm sure that topic would have come up at the hearing. The Orioles have scored three runs or fewer in 32 of his 64 starts since the beginning of the 2010 season. The Sun first reported that Guthrie was close to being traded to the Rockies.