Royals Sign Bloomquist: 2 YR 3 Million

[HoustonGM]

As Rany said in his article, and places like Rotoworld have said, getting rid of Pena is the only real positive to this move.

This is what Rotoworld said:

The one bit of good news here is that Tony Pena Jr. would no longer seem to have any chance of making the Royals. Barring a trade, the Royals' bench would appear to be set with Mark Teahen, Ross Gload, Bloomquist and the backup catcher. That leaves no room for Esteban German, Ryan Shealy, Brayan Pena, Mitch Maier or Shane Costa.

[KowboyKoop]

As Rany said in his article, and places like Rotoworld have said, getting rid of Pena is the only real positive to this move.

This is what Rotoworld said:

I think it is very likely that Ross Gload is moved somehow, probably just flat out released. There is a shot that either Shealy is traded, or Butler starts in AAA if he comes to camp as out of shape as he was last year. Esty was just resigned to a one year deal if I recall...and I doubt that happened just to push him to AAA.

Lots can happen, we'll see how things shake out, but I'm pretty sure that German makes the team.

[HoustonGM]

Well this is just scary. And from here:

"He's a winner, he has versatility and he's a very good offensive player," Moore said.

[filihok]

Well this is just scary. And from here

That Bloomquist was the DH 20 times last year? indeed

[HoustonGM]

That Bloomquist was the DH 20 times last year? indeed

Well, yes, that's scary, but I was referring to how Bloomquist is apparently in competition and being considered for the starting second base job.

[KowboyKoop]

Well this is just scary. And from here:

What is he supposed to say?? Should he say that Bloomquist can't hit and has no chance to start for the team??? Come on....a reporter asked him a question and me gave the most diplomatic answer possible. I'm glad he doesn't just say "oh, we've already decided who is starting, so no matter what Callaspo is the starter. Bloomquist has no chance to start...just show up and get on the bench."

He also said that Hideo Nomo had a chance to be a starter last year, Damon Hollins would have a chance to make the team last year and that Horacio Ramirez will be in competition for a starting spot.

Come on......


EDIT: Also, I don't see a quote from DM that says he might start. I see that the reporter himself wrote "Bloomquist is expected to compete with Callaspo for the starting job" and I see that DM says he "creates competition," but I don't see anything from DM that says he thinks Bloomy will start for the Royals in '09.

[Arctic Blast]

Is there any indication that the Royals have even tried, though?

Nope...just like there's also zero indication they HAVEN'T tried.

[KowboyKoop]

Nope...just like there's also zero indication they HAVEN'T tried.

They have made a few runs at significant FAs the past couple years. They were actively after Furcal...but he basically ignored us. We were the highest bidder for Hiroki Kuroda, but he took less to sign with the Dodgers. We were the highest bidder for Torii Hunter..but he didn't want the offer and used us as a bargaining chip to the Angels....we were after Andruw Jones for a while...there were a few teams after Gil Meche before we "ruined the FA pitching market" by signing him.

Not that all of those would've been wise signings..but they've been trying for some.

[Arctic Blast]

They have made a few runs at significant FAs the past couple years. They were actively after Furcal...but he basically ignored us. We were the highest bidder for Hiroki Kuroda, but he took less to sign with the Dodgers. We were the highest bidder for Torii Hunter..but he didn't want the offer and used us as a bargaining chip to the Angels....we were after Andruw Jones for a while...there were a few teams after Gil Meche before we "ruined the FA pitching market" by signing him.

Not that all of those would've been wise signings..but they've been trying for some.

Exactly. This is my issue when people bring up the "Small markets don't ever try!" argument. Some do, and they just get used as a bargaining chip or ignored completely.

[metsguy234]

Whoa... Willie Bloomquist is... white... I just realized that when I looked him up

[haveacigar]

now that you mention him, what the heck happened to Mark Teahen?

[KowboyKoop]

now that you mention him, what the heck happened to Mark Teahen?

He just isn't a very good hitter. Not completely awful, but not near good enough to be a regular MLB corner OF. He'll make a nice 4th OF and is capable of playing 3B and 1B as well....not an awful bat off the bench..but he just seems to get in his own way at the plate. His swing looked so great in 2006 and he showed a great eye...but something happened and now he just half swings at close pitches and seems to just have a million things going through his head at the plate.....I'd say he is what he is at this point. A mediocre bat for a corner OF, but a nice player to have off the bench I suppose.

[filihok]

http://www.baseball-reference.com/t/teahema01.shtml

[haveacigar]

http://www.baseball-reference.com/t/teahema01.shtml

Yeah, I was looking for some analysis a little deeper than a stat sheet.

[haveacigar]

He just isn't a very good hitter. Not completely awful, but not near good enough to be a regular MLB corner OF. He'll make a nice 4th OF and is capable of playing 3B and 1B as well....not an awful bat off the bench..but he just seems to get in his own way at the plate. His swing looked so great in 2006 and he showed a great eye...but something happened and now he just half swings at close pitches and seems to just have a million things going through his head at the plate.....I'd say he is what he is at this point. A mediocre bat for a corner OF, but a nice player to have off the bench I suppose.

Well that's what I can't figure out. He had a really solid slugging and a decent OBP in 06, and then the slugging just disappeared in 07. I get the OBP drop in 08, what with trying to press at the plate and as a result striking out a bunch. It's just weird to see a guy have such a drop in production in his mid 20s.