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Newlywed Guthrie discovers need for patience By KRIS HENRY Caught during down time between sorting through gifts and sending out "Thank You" notes, Jeremy Guthrie had the voice of a newlywed Wednesday afternoon. No, new wife Jenny isn't testing the waters just yet. The same, however, cannot be said for the Pittsburgh Pirates. A third-round draft choice by the major league baseball team, Guthrie said negotiations with the Pirates haven't been nearly as agreeable as the ones used to secure his wife on June 20. "We're just being patient," said the former Ashland High star. "Things take a little time because of the way signing bonuses are given out. It just takes a little time for some guys." Given the leverage Guthrie, 22, and his advisers have in negotiations, the timetable for his signing is about as easy to pin down as a 400-pound sumo wrestler. As a draft-eligible sophomore from Stanford University, Guthrie has the option of returning to the Cardinal or accepting an offer to join the professional ranks. Pittsburgh holds the negotiation rights to Guthrie until next year's draft. "I would love to sign and play professional baseball," said Guthrie, "but at the same time, I'd love to further my education and have another shot at a national championship. Both of them are great options." The 84th overall pick in the amateur baseball draft - and the second selection by Pittsburgh - Guthrie is a figure the Pirates see in their future. Pittsburgh director of scouting Mickey White considers Guthrie "a real bulldog on the mound" with a full complement of pitches. White said Thursday that nothing has dampened his enthusiasm of bringing Guthrie into the Pittsburgh organization. Guthrie turned down the Pirates' initial offer a few weeks ago, but White said negotiations stand to heat up over the coming weeks now that Guthrie has returned from his honeymoon. "With the advisers and me and Jeremy and (area scout) Greg (McClain), it gets a little complicated," said White. "But everything's very optimistic, and we're planning on getting him signed as soon as we can have a meeting of the minds on all of this. There don't seem to be any real hang-ups." Acting as adviser to Guthrie has been Scott Boras and his agency in California. "His people have really helped me with the baseball side of it, and not just the financial side," Guthrie said. As a point of reference, the Pirates recently signed first round selection John VanBenschoten, who was selected eighth overall after a stellar season at Kent State. The versatile VanBenschoten batted .443 with 30 homers and 22 stolen bases and compiled a 2-2 record with a 2.77 ERA in the closer's role at Kent State. VanBenschoten was given a $2.4 million signing bonus, making him one of 18 players signed from the Pirates' June draft. Only Guthrie and fourth-round shortstop Jeff Keppinger from the University of Georgia remain unsigned among Pittsburgh's top eight selections. For his part, Guthrie was a driving force in the Cardinal's run to the College World Series this past season. The right-hander posted a team-best 13-4 record with a 2.82 ERA in leading Stanford to its runner-up finish. He led the Cardinal in games started (20), innings pitched (134) and strikeouts (128). Now he's being asked to lead the ever-growing Guthrie family in patience - a burden he's more than ready to shoulder. "They're excited for me," said Guthrie, "but they understand this could go either way." And with that, he returned to his "Thank You" notes, with no mention of whether one has been set aside for a certain Pennsylvania destination. Reach reporter Kris Henry at 776-4488, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.