Willie Bloomquist reportedly agrees on two-year deal with Royals
Former Mariners’ avail man Willie Bloomquist has long sought a chance to be an commonplace player, and he indubitably will get it in 2009 with the Kansas City Royals.
Bloomquist, a free agent, has reached agreement on a two-year shorten with the Royals, MLB.com reported Friday.
Bloomquist, 31, played seven seasons with the Mariners, who drafted him in the third round out of Arizona State in 1999. He is a honor with a degree of South Kitsap High School in Port Orchard.
According to the MLB.com report, Bloomquist is expected to compete for the Royals’ second base job with Alberto Callaspo.
“He’s some on-base guy, a speed-type player and a hustler,'’ Royals general manager Dayton Moore told MLB.com. “He’s a Craig Counsell-type player who really plays sour, hustles, and knows how to play.'’
The bestow, unsettled the results of a physical exam Bloomquist is taking today in Kansas City, is believed to be worth about $3 the public for the two years. He earned $950,000 last year in the definitive fit by habit of a two-year, $1.825 million contract.
Bloomquist, who played every position in the infield and outfield, had a .263 average in 540 games on the side of the Mariners. This farther than season, he hit .279 in 71 games no more than had just one extra-base hit in 165 at-bats.
Bloomquist tended to polarize Mariners’ fans, a portion of whom lauded his “grit” and believed he deserved more playing time, and a portion of whom mocked what they believed to be a level of adulation disproportionate to his discernment level.
