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Unfortunately, they did just that.

After revamping the lineup with Michael Cuddyer, Ramon Hernandez, Casey Blake and Marco Scutaro, they traded pitchers Jason Hammel and Matt Lindstrom for the Baltimore Orioles’ Jeremy Guthrie on Feb. 6.

This move is insulting to a team that desires positive change because Guthrie isn’t a top-of-the-rotation type of pitcher. Colorado is better than this.

Guthrie is almost 33 years old and is a subpar pitcher at best. Guthrie, 47-65 in his career, posted a 9-17 record last year. His 17 losses were tied for a major league-worst in 2011.

Guthrie also has yet to win 12 or more games in a season. If Colorado is going to rely on him to lead the young rotation in 2012, he will certainly have to win more than 12 games.

While Guthrie won’t have to deal with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, he will have to deal with adapting to Coors Field. That might not be an easy adjustment for him.

Baltimore’s Camden Yards is a hitters’ park, and moving to Coors Field, also a hitters’ park, doesn’t solve anything.

Despite going 7-13 last year, Hammel has shown some potential, recording 10 wins in 2009 and 2010, respectively.

Hammel is also three years younger. Sure, he’s been inconsistent record wise, but he’s also been consistent by eating up at least five or six innings any given game.

Losing Lindstrom was a big blow to the bullpen. It’s nice that closer Rafael Betancourt converted eight of nine save attempts in 2011, but Betancourt has a very limited track record for closing games.

Meanwhile, Lindstrom garnered closing experience back when he pitched with the Florida Marlins, who are now the Miami Marlins, and Houston Astros.

He converted 20 saves in 25 save attempts with the Marlins, as well as 23 of 29 saves attempts in Houston.

One of his two saves for Colorado came in a day game in New York last April, where he bailed Colorado out of trouble against the Mets. Former closer Huston Street almost blew an easy save opportunity, allowing two runs and allowing the Mets to get back into the game.

Only up 6-5, Lindstrom came in and got the save.

It’s maddening that Colorado traded the guy who, in my mind, should have been the next closer once Street was dealt to San Diego.

Colorado sacrificed solid pitching depth for a veteran pitcher in this deal. The Rockies are in a position where they need to start thinking more about utilizing depth instead of veteran leadership.

There’s also the idea that trading Hammel and Lindstrom would allow Colorado to pay for Guthrie’s $8.2 million salary.

In all facets, this deal was poor on the Rockies’ part, mostly because Guthrie hasn’t statistically proven he can be dependable, no matter what the circumstances might be.

The new-look batting lineup is appealing, but the Guthrie deal isn’t.

Tags: 2012, Colorado, Jeremy Guthrie, Rockies, trade

People: Casey Blake, Huston Street, Jason Hammel, Jeremy Guthrie, Marco Scutaro, Matt Lindstrom, Michael Cuddyer, Rafael Betancourt, Ramon Hernandez