DENVER -- The Colorado Rockies acquired veteran right-hander Jeremy Guthrie from the Baltimore Orioles on Monday, a move that bolsters their young rotation.

In exchange, the Rockies sent reliever Matt Lindstrom and right-hander Jason Hammel to the Orioles.

The deal for Guthrie, the Orioles' Opening Day starter three of the past four seasons, was first reported by The Baltimore Sun. Guthrie lost 17 games last season, the most in the American League, and finished with a 4.33 ERA for a team that has lost 90 or more games in six straight seasons competing with the AL East's big-spending heavyweights.

Guthrie, who turns 33 in April, agreed to a one-year, $8.2 million contract with the Rockies, avoiding an arbitration hearing that had been scheduled for Monday in St. Petersburg, Fla. He's eligible to become a free agent after the season.

Guthrie said he was surprised to hear that he'd been dealt, he told The Sun.

"This past month, month and a half, I was trying to concentrate on resolving my contract and preparing the case for it. So I think it is a huge surprise," he said, according to the report. "The timing is not what anyone, myself included, would have expected. There are times when trades occur more frequently, and this wasn't one I was prepared for."

Guthrie's agent, Brodie Van Wagenen, said it had seemed likely that the pitcher's contract would head to arbitration, according to the newspaper.

"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," Van Wagenen said in a statement, according to the report. "Jeremy is excited about a fresh start with a new organization and a contending team close to home."

Given that Guthrie was free to bolt after this season, Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette felt it was simply the right time to make a move.

"We explored the market for Jeremy," Duquette said in a teleconference. "We felt this would be the best deal to help our team. We are adding to the pitching staff pitchers who have good command and quality stuff."

Guthrie, pitching the past five seasons for Orioles teams that finished in or near the AL East basement, has a 47-65 career record with a 4.19 ERA over eight seasons with the Orioles and Cleveland Indians.

"'Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Baltimore anymore.' Just found out I was traded to @Rockies," read a post on Guthrie's Twitter page.

Another post on Guthrie's page read: "Head is spinning, not sure where to start-but will go w/a heartfelt THANK YOU to the @Orioles & AMAZING fans who've supported me & the team."

The acquisition of Guthrie gives the Rockies another experienced arm in their rotation, especially with lefty Jorge De La Rosa still mending after elbow surgery that sidelined him last season.