Originally published Friday, January 9, 2009 at 12:00 AM

Willie Bloomquist signs with Royals

Former Mariners utility man will get a chance to be an everyday player in Kansas City.

Seattle Times staff reporter

Former Mariners utility man Willie Bloomquist has long sought a chance to be an everyday player, and he will get it in 2009 with the Kansas City Royals.

Bloomquist, a free agent, has reached agreement on a two-year, $3.1 million contract with the Royals.

Bloomquist, 31, played seven seasons with the Mariners, who drafted him in the third round out of Arizona State in 1999. He is a graduate of South Kitsap High School in Port Orchard.

According to MLB.com, Bloomquist is expected to compete for the Royals' second base job with Alberto Callaspo.

Bloomquist earned $950,000 last year in the final season of a two-year, $1.825 million contract with the Mariners.

Bloomquist, who played every position in the infield and outfield, had a .263 average in 540 games for the Mariners. This past season, he hit .279 in 71 games but had just one extra-base hit in 165 at-bats.

"He's an 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 hard, hustles, and knows how to play."

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 skill level.

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Comments

There is no better piece of evidence than this that things are getting better in Seattle. I can't believe KC is giving him so much money, but... Posted on January 9, 2009 at 11:44 AM by shemberry. Jump to comment

thank god someone was nieve enough to give him a chance at a starting job so he'd leave seattle. Posted on January 9, 2009 at 11:50 AM by seatown27. Jump to comment

7 years playing from the bench and he never proved he was an everyday player. This is Willie's big shot, put up or shut up WIllie, KC has... Posted on January 9, 2009 at 1:22 PM by Wild West. Jump to comment

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