Jeremy Guthrie finds throwing partner on Twitter

Royals fan and Kansas City resident Daniel Wesley had a pretty cool Friday. It played out on Twitter:

Does anyone in northern Kansas City want to play catch today out to 90 feet? Day 3 of throwing program.

— Jeremy Guthrie (@TheRealJGuts) December 13, 2013

@TheRealJGuts What part of Northern KC? I can be there in 20 minutes. — Daniel Wesley (@DanielSWesley) December 13, 2013

@TheRealJGuts I am 35 years young and played high school and junior college baseball. If I’m too old to qualify, I understand. 🙂 — Daniel Wesley (@DanielSWesley) December 13, 2013

@DanielSWesley Perfect, lets shoot for 3:30. DM me

— Jeremy Guthrie (@TheRealJGuts) December 13, 2013

The details were worked out over private direct message and then the two met up for a 40-minute throwing session. “I just kept telling myself to not act like I’m 12, and to make good throws,” Wesley told MLB.com’s Cut4. “I definitely didn’t wake up this morning expecting to play catch with an MLB pitcher.”

Wesley got a signed ball and bat from Guthrie, along with a really great memory …

So yeah, it was as epic as you’d think it would be. Thanks to @TheRealJGuts for a story to tell my kids and grandkids for years. #Royals

— Daniel Wesley (@DanielSWesley) December 13, 2013

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The Mariners are in the midst of reconstructing their roster, a process which most recently resulted in the trade of first baseman/DH Edwin Encarnación to the Yankees, per a report from ESPN’s Jeff Passan. While the teams have yet to publicly confirm the deal, the Mariners are expected to receive pitching prospect Juan Then and will likely eat a significant portion of Encarnación’s salary as well.

Encarnación is a sizable get for the Yankees, who could benefit from the veteran’s power and consistency in their ongoing drive toward the postseason. The 36-year-old infielder missed some time with a bout of lower back tightness, dental issues, and soreness in his left hand, but has still maintained a decent .241/.356/.531 batting line with an AL-best 21 home runs, an .888 OPS, and 1.7 fWAR through his first 289 plate appearances of the year. Per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, Encarnación has another $11-12 million left on his contract in 2019, with a $20 million option for the 2020 season and a $5 million buyout.

Then, 19, was acquired by the Yankees in a three-person trade with the Mariners during the 2017 offseason. The right-hander currently ranks no. 27 in the Yankees’ system and made his last pro ball appearance for New York’s rookie-level affiliate in 2018, pitching to a 2.70 ERA, 2.0 BB/9, and 7.6 SO/9 across 50 innings. It’s not clear if any other players are involved in the trade, though USA Today’s Bob Nightengale notes that no other prospects are thought to be included in the package for Encarnación.