[1] Gutiérrez reached the major leagues with Boston in 1983, playing in parts of three seasons with the Red Sox, including a career-high 151 games in 1984.

A knee injury sustained in a 10–3 loss to the Texas Rangers at Arlington Stadium on May 25, 1985 led to him being supplanted by Glenn Hoffman and unable to reclaim the position as he ended 1985 with 23 errors and a .218 batting average that was 45 points lower than from the previous year.

[4] Upon hearing reports that Gutiérrez was released by two winter ball teams in the Dominican Republic and Venezuela because of erratic behavior which involved frequent fights,[5] the Orioles attempted to have the transaction restructured or voided, alleging that the Red Sox had prior knowledge of any such issues.

[3] American League president Bobby Brown upheld the deal on March 11, 1986,[6] ruling that it was made in "good faith, with neither club knowingly misrepresenting the facts" and that "the Orioles' request to rescind the trade has been denied.

"[7] Entering the 1986 season, the Orioles' expectations for Gutiérrez was for him to become the starting third baseman, allowing Floyd Rayford to replace Rick Dempsey as catcher.