UPDATE - The Royals have confirmed that they've acquired Guthrie from the Rockies in exchange for Sanchez.

#Royals acquire RHP Jeremy Guthrie from Rockies in exchange for LHP Jonathan Sanchez.

— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) July 20, 2012

11:27 AM EDT - The Colorado Rockies have traded right-hander Jeremy Guthrie to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for left-hander Jonathan Sanchez, reports Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports:

Source: #Rockies starter Jeremy Guthrie traded to #Royals for Jonathan Sanchez.

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 20, 2012

Both pitchers were traded this off-season and went on to struggle immensely this year with their new clubs. Guthrie was acquired by the Rockies from the Baltimore Orioles in the trade that sent Jason Hammel and Matt Lindstrom to the O’s, while the Royals dealt Melky Cabrera to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for Sanchez.

Needless to say, both deals aren’t looking very good at this time.

On the year, Guthrie maintained an ERA and WHIP of 6.35 and 1.688 over his 19 appearances, including 15 starts, for the Rockies. Sanchez posted marks of 7.76 and 2.044 with 6.1 SO/9 and 7.4 BB/9 over his 12 starts for the Royals.

Both pitchers are set to hit the free agent market following the season. Buster Olney of ESPN reports that by making the trade, the Rockies save $1.1 million in salary:

In making the Jonathan Sanchez/Jeremy Guthrie trade, the Rockies save $1.1 million in salary.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 20, 2012

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What are your thoughts on the swap of struggling starters?

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