Royals Bring Guthrie Back

Click quickly.

The #Royals are trending on Twitter.

No, not those Royals. I'm talking (writing, actually) about the Royals who play baseball in Kansas City.

I'm guessing this rare surge in trendiness for the Royals has something – ok, everything – to do with the Kansas City ballclub re-signing free agent pitcher Jeremy Guthrie Tuesday morning.

The righty's new deal will pay him $25 million for the next three seasons.

Kansas City acquired the 33-year-old pitched from Colorado back in July in exchange for lefty pitcher Jonathan Sanchez. Guthrie was 5-2 with a 3.16 ERA with the Royals.

Before being traded, Guthrie was making a mess of things in Colorado – is that fair to say? – with a 3-9 record accompanied by an oh-my-god-hide-the-women-and-children earned run average of 6.35. To be fair, the entire Rockies season was terrible, operating with a 35-56 record when they shipped Guthrie to Kansas City.

Guthrie will be paired in the Royals rotation with Ervin Santana, who the club picked up from the Los Angeles Angels via a trade for minor leaguer Brandon Sisk.

Following the Tuesday morning contract announcement, Guthrie expressed his excitement and gratitude on Twitter:

3 more years in Kansas City! I couldn't be more pleased & excited! Thanks to the Royals & all the great fans for your support.👑
— Jeremy Guthrie (@TheRealJGuts) November 20, 2012

Can You Imagine Colorado without Todd Helton?

We take Todd Helton for granted.

We see his name on the Colorado's Rockies' roster year after year, whether or not he's in the lineup, and think nothing of it. It's kind of like seeing the sun every day.

He's there, has been since 1997, and that's the way it should be.

However, the 39-year old may be ready to toss aside his first basemen's glove for good. Today, a Denver Post story says Helton may retire after observing how his surgically-repaired hip holds up through winter workouts.

"Even if he returns, Helton would be limited to about 100 games, which means utility infielder Jordan Pacheco and outfielders Michael Cuddyer and Tyler Colvin would likely be asked to share time at first," writes the Post's Patrick Saunders.

In 2012, Helton was limited to 69 games in which he hit .238, with seven home runs.