Bloomquist gets two years
And not in baseball limbo for being terrible but a two-year contract to play for the team.
While we don’t know how much it’s for… if it’s close to $1m/per, it’s a bad deal. If it’s about $500,000, it’s excusable.
We’ve written a ton about Bloomquist here, but the short version is that he’s a decent bench guy: he can swipe a base, play a lot of defensive positions without killing you anywhere, and he’s not utterly hopeless with the bat. There’s utility in that. He seems like a good enough guy (though of course, you don’t really know) and there seems to be a lot of fans who like him.
I mostly agree with Bavasi, who said:
Bloomquist gives us a lot of versatility coming off the bench or from a starting role. He helps us in a variety of roles, including the ability to steal a base and play almost any position on the field.
He’s a starter? He hasn’t been good when he’s had a chance to start. He hasn’t been good against advanced competition for any sustained period in his career. At this age, we’ve seen what he’s capable of and it’s not much. His defense at any position isn’t good, which means that playing him regularly hurts the team badly.
In the grand scheme of Marinerdom, it’s not such a big deal (unless they gave way more money than is realistic).
Fun Bloomquist fact: with Willy and his scrappy, infectious play, the M’s are 225-261 (.463). During the long, lost-in-the-desert pre-Willy period, they went 1,860-2,065 (.474).
Another classic example of not acknowledging the concept of replacement level. Just as with Ryan Franklin, there are plenty of guys who can do Willie Bloomquist’s job at the level at which he can do it for league-minimum money. Bo Hart, for example, to pluck one name out of the air from among a long list of unsigned free agents.
My guess is the deal is about 2 years, $1.6 million base, possibly with more in incentives. I find it interesting that the M’s haven’t released the numbers, when they did in every other case.
Here at the KItsap Sun  his hometown daily paper  we may be speaking to Willie Dynamite later this evening. If he discloses a dollar figure, I’ll pass it along.
I don’t think the M’s ever disclose contract terms, do they? It has to leak from them or the player or his agent.
Jim, $1.6M total, right not “per”. Too much but not awful.
Much as we rip on him, there must be some value in a guy who is versatile and frees up a bench space for Matt Lawton and can steal a base as a pinch runner. As a starter, he’d be a disaster. As a backup who gets 100 AB and pinch runs for Ibanez and Everett, what the heck.
#3. One could say exactly the same about Bo Hart.
ah, but how can you put a price tag on grit?
wonder if the Hot Stove show will also be dialing up Willie tonight…
Grits? About $1.29.
I assume that was supposed to say, “He’s not a starter.”
price of grit
Personally I would have DFAed Bloomquist in December and gone in another direction. I have limited tolerance for replaceable reserves who “demand” an opportunity to be a starter.
But if you’re going to sign him, this is the same amount we paid Dan Wilson, who was a popular replacement level guy, and it’s spread over two years. It all adds up, but as Derek said, a wasted $400,000 isn’t a big deal (and I’m not convinced it’s that much over).
That previous site was way too expensive. You can get grit at replacement level prices here.
I’ve always been a fan of McMaster-Carr for my industrial needs.
Bloomquist is decent in short bursts. He has shown the ability to make things happen with his baserunning late in games in the past. He has an all-out style of play that is contageous. I think he’s a perfect utility/pinch runner/temporary fill-in player. He should never play regularly. I realize there are others who can do what he does but he’s already here, you know what you’re getting, and besides, he’s the only non-pitcher the M’s have brought up through their system that has stuck since A-Rod.
“Another classic example of not acknowledging the concept of replacement level.”
I disagree. Take your example player, Bo Hart for instance. His EQA is similar to Willie’s maybe a tad better (.246 to .239), although Hart’s is in about half as many ABs. Bloomquist has stolen bases at a great clip, 34 in 39 tries. If Hart does steal well, he hasn’t shown it, attempting only 4 steals, successful in 3. Bloomquist has played a number of positions in the field, while Hart has experience almost solely at 2B, with what appear to be a few emergency appearances at SS. Hart’s value as a pinch-hitter diminishes because he doesn’t play as many positions, his value as a utility player diminishes because of his lack of experience (to my knowledge anyway) of playing multiple positions, and his value as a pinch-runner would seem to be a lot less that Willie’s value as a pinch-runner.
So, per your $800K/year salary estimate, the M’s are paying an additional $500K/year for a guy who is more versatile, steals better, hits slightly worse, is a media/crowd favorite, and who adds some stability to the clubhouse (and seems to be reasonably well-liked there). On this bench, and this budget, I don’t think it’s that unreasonable. In fact, I’d it might be more of a waste of organizational resources devoting time to looking for Bloomquist replacements, playing the game with their agents, and cleaning up the media mess by letting the hometown boy go, etc., than the extra $500K Wille’s getting.
If Willie’s style of play is contagious, why didn’t anyone else on the team catch it last year?
Is that a rhetorical question? The team I watched had obviously caught a case of whatever keeps Willie’s EQA well below .250.
So his bad hitting is contagious but not his hard-nosed, enthusiastic style of play? That’s the worst of both worlds.
If anyone has it, I’d like to see the statistical analysis of Willie’s defensive capabilities. A lot of you guys are throwing out unsubstantiated rhetoric about his “defensive shortcomings” without backing up your statements. I thought Willie was more than adequate from a defensive standpoint and I’d like to see someone prove it otherwise with numbers.
To clarify, I mean stated in the past. I realize comments 1-15 don’t highlight his defense, but rather his offense.
You could start by looking at his defensive stats compared to his peers on the team for the last couple years he’s gotten playing time, rather than accuse people of “throwing out unsubstantiated rhetoric”. It’s not as if we’re making this stuff up out of whole cloth.
#17: Or just do a Bloomquist keyword search here and find where his defensive shortcomings have been discussed, and detailed, to death here. Don’t lash out just because you have a short or selective memory.
Hell, even I’ve written about it in print.
According to the AP’s arbitration chart, Bloomquist asked for $850,000, while the M’s offered $625,000, so his salary is probably right smack in between “bad deal” and “excusable.”
As a comparison, the Twins’ version of Bloomquist, Little Nicky Punto (less steals but more walks), had the same arbitration numbers.
So maybe the Bloomie era will end in 2008 when some kid can come up and assume his position for ~300k.
I don’t really care one way or the other about Bloomquist’s signing unless he’s somehow getting Everett money, but “lost in the dessert” is a great image.
I think Bloomquist and the Mariners will almost certainly part ways after 2007. He’ll become WAY too expensive for what he has to offer, and, at age 30 in ’08, he’ll have no illusion of upside left.
“lost in the dessert†is a great image
hmmm. chocolate moose?
Fiiiiiiiixed.
“lost in the dessert” – isn’t that how Mo Vaughn’s career ended?
Or was it John Kruk?
Gee, nearly $10m flushed down the toilet on Everett, Moyer, and Bloomquist.
With all that $$$ the M’s could have signed one useful player, maybe two.
I think Moyer can be useful if we use him intelligently.
Funny how he asks for 850,000, we offered 625,000.
2006 Salary: 625,000
2007 Salary: 850,000
150,000 this year and 250,000 next year incentives based on plate appearances. So, hopefully we limit his at bats to both save money, and to have some guys who can actually hit in the box.
Grover seems to love him though, and that scares me.
Are these figures confirmed?
For the $$$ it’s not great but it could be worse. I do think anything over .5 mil for a number 25 guy on the roster is a little extreme but at least WFB can run. For what it’s worth his “D” at 2nd isn’t totally awful.
Wait!
Nobody mentioned the he tore his leg all up last year. Didn’t he?
Unless the second year of that contract includes some kind of $50 buyout, this just seems … well, dumb.
Oh, right. Dumb.
Makes sense now I guess. Sigh.
He pulled his hammy.
30. They were posted on Rotoworld.com, which is a pretty reputable source.
Um, $1.525 million for two years is not much post-Curt Flood, I guess. But didn’t we just discuss spending $16 million or so on seven or so replacement-level players? It’s waaaaay too much for Bloomquist.
I’ve got no major beef in the deal, he has his place on this team, as long as it’s not starting or getting over 175-200 ABs a season. That’s what big leagers make now-a-days.
hey, everybody loves him. Bavasi & Hargrove (fortunately) don’t seem to love him as a starter, though. He ended the season with a strained left hamstring at the end of August.
per the AP, “Updating an earlier report, the Associated Press reports Seattle Mariners OF Willie Bloomquist got a two-year, $1.525 million contract. He gets a $50,000 signing bonus, $625,000 this year and $850,000 in 2007. He can earn $150,000 in performance bonuses this year based on plate appearances and $250,000 in 2007. In addition, his 2007 salary can escalate by up to $250,000.”
“I’m not an athlete, I’m a professional ballplayer”– John Kruk
So he may make 1.1 mill next year? That is entirely too much.
I wondered about Bloomquist’s defense too. So I looked up his fielding percentages. It was the first time I’d seen those things in the 970s except for maybe Joey Cora.
#17,18 – Look, I don’t understand your tones. I’m not defending or attacking willie but rather trying to gather information. I couldn’t find statistical analysis on the site as to willie’s defensive abilities (but I’m sure thats cause I’m not willing to sift through more than 30 search hits – I assume they are here somewhere). Jim, if you’ve written up some analysis, I’d love to read it. DMZ, I’m not making accusations at anyone. I merely think it would be intriguing to see if an analysis would reflect the general opinion or not. I looked at fielding stats on mlb.com but, as the authors on this site so often point out (and I agree wholeheartedly), traditional statistics don’t always tell the whole story. Fielding percentage doesn’t take into account range effects.
#37: That’s just what Bloomie told us on the phone just now. He sounded pretty happy.
Fielding percentage is probably the most bogus stat in all of baseball, dependent it is entirely on the subjective opinion of some ex-sportswriter in the press box.
Exactly. Someone’s got to have a more sabremetrical take on his defensive value.
Say what you want, but The Ignitor did everything the Mariners have ever asked of him and more. He has started at 2B when he probably shouldn’t have, and played just as well as that “prospect” Lopez. He can hit for doubles all day long- and his stretch in the 2nd half of the season should have earned him more playing time than that pile Jose Lopez. You can’t put Jose at any other position, where you can with WFB. I am glad we brought him back- I think signing someone to replace him would be a waste of money. Plus, he is an overall good guy that hasn’t roided like our friend Matt Lawton. Why was he signed again?
#44: A .333 slugging percentage does not square with “hit for doubles all day long.” The man neither gets on base (career .308 OBP, juts .289 in his “breakout 2005 season) or advances baserunners, which are the two most important components of offense. Apart from his base stealing, his batting average is the sum of his value, and is one of the emptiest numbers of anybody who hit over .250.
He has a legitimate role on a team. Standing at home plate with a bat in his hand is not one of them.
Jose Lopez was pretty bad when played last year. And he still hit better than Bloomquist, even in his best year.
Lopez – .247 avg, .282 obp, .379 slug, 19 doubles in 190 AB
Bloomquist – .257 avg, .289 obp, .333 slug, 15 doubles in 249 AB
Meanwhile, Lopez just turned 22 whereas Bloomquist is probably past his prime (as scary as that is).
Is it just my selective memory or does Willie get thrown out a lot trying to stretch a single to a double, a double to a triple, etc.? I was surprised when someone posted his career steals rate as 34 of 39, because I seem to recall many times where he makes outs on the basepaths.
For what it’s worth, his steal success in the minor leagues isn’t quite as good… 99 in 135 attempts.
Wishing we had better things to write about like the acquisition of a true #1 starter or some real left-handed sock.
“Say what you want, but The Ignitor did everything the Mariners have ever asked of him and more.”
I don’t get it. Why do some people feel obliged to write silly things like that about Bloomquist? As Jim points out, you just can’t defend the assertion that Bloomquist is a good hitter. He’s good enough for what he is, at a just about acceptable price.
Jose Lopez’s age and minor league stats suggest that he will be a productive major league second baseman, probably above average. Willie Bloomquist’s age and stats suggest that it’s his speed and defensive versatility that are keeping him on the roster, and the less time he spends at the plate the better for all concerned.
#44-”his stretch in the 2nd half of the season should have earned him more playing time than that pile Jose Lopez.”
you mean the July stretch of 72 ABs when he hit like this?
R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS OBP SLG OPS AVG
8 23 6 0 0 5 5 13 4 0 .364 .403 .766 .319
he did play more in August, and in 109 ABs he hit:
R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS OBP SLG OPS AVG
11 27 5 2 0 11 2 19 7 0 .259 .330 .589 .248
I like this part from the AP story — it claims WFB had a career high in BA (.257) but also says his career average is .261 without explaining how that could be possible! Of course it’s possible due to him hitting .455 in a bunch of AB’s in Sept. ’02 (the real year when he had his career high in BA)…
“Bloomquist had career-highs in at-bats (249), batting average (.257), doubles (15), RBIs (22) and stolen bases (14) last season. He is hitting .261 in 267 career games.”
Don’t read too much into this … but Willie has 666 lifetime at-bats.
The Brewers officially released Russ Branyan. He’s there for the taking.
Not that the M’s could use a left-handed batter capable of slugging .500 or anything. And what with Beltre having adjusted so well to the AL who needs a spare part for third base? And the outfield is rock solid so no options there either.
Bah, silly idea……
Look, I don’t understand your tones. I’m not defending or attacking willie but rather trying to gather information. I couldn’t find statistical analysis on the site as to willie’s defensive abilities (but I’m sure thats cause I’m not willing to sift through more than 30 search hits – I assume they are here somewhere).
So you’re looking to gather information on Willy but not willing to look through search results or go to, say, ESPN and look at the team fielding stats page for the last couple years and compare him to his peers on the team.
But you’re entirely willing to say that people who say that he’s not good defensively are engaging in unsubstantiated rhetoric.
Why, there’s no reason at all why that would tick people off! I too am baffled why anyone would be annoyed at your choice of words, or general laziness while accusing other people who have done research of laziness. We should all jump to, and serve you a suitable selection of appropriate statistics and research to your tastes, in order to prevent a further tongue-lashing from you!
Everyone! Chop chop! This man here is seeking information but does not wish to do any work!
Are you guys talking about the same guy the KOMO Hot Stove League guys are talking about?
BTW, FREDDY GARCIA is a FA next year. Let’s get him.
Well, Freddy right now would be better than anyone on the staff not called Felix.
Not that I’m setting a high bar there.
Who are the KOMO Hot Stove guys blathering about? Willie? Well, so are we. There’s not much to fill these long dark Seattle winter days.
Ooh, Gene Krantz just walked in. I’ll see if I can go and have a word.
#51– by the way, there is now alternate sources that say the number is 616, not 666…. um, that would be papyri relating to Revelations, not to Willy.
#55– no way. Really? Krantz?
oh, wait, baseball. they are talking Mike Morse now, as they will be talking to him & Rene on the Caravan– first, a discussion of the World Champs
Way, he left again. We just swapped a few words.
I’m working on a show in Seattle for Microsoft and Gene Krantz is tomorrow’s keynote speaker. I’ve worked with him before. Nice chap. Brings the astronauts back from space AND wraps up his rehearsal an hour early.
He had no comment on the Bloomquist deal though.
52. Mind boggling to me how Willie Bloomquist will make more in 2007 than Russell Branyan this year, and nobody is even taking a shot at him. I don’t even think the 800 grand is guaranteed.
#58–does he wear a vest when he keynotes?
BLOOMQUIST’S DEFENSE – I’m not sure which defensive stats are meaningful here, but I note that Willie’s Range Factor has been appreciably below the league average.
As someone once said, “He can hold a glove at more positions than anyone else in Baseball.”
What especially concerns me here is that whether teams have a 4-man or 5-man bench, one spot goes to a utility infielder that can field. And we’re going into the 2006 season without one.
I think the whole thing about his defense is that he can play any position in a pinch. Some of those late inning or extra inning situaions, it’s nice to have a guy that isn’t named Branyon in the field.
For what it’s worth, I’d rather have Willie at SS than Morse at SS for a few inning defensive replacement, and you know that Betancourt is a candidate for being pinch-hit for in a tight game where we need a hit…
But I’ve had it with the playing Bloomquist in CF instead of Reed vs. tough lefties. Reed shouldn’t be hitting 2nd vs. lefties, but I still feel he should be in the lineup, in the bottom of the order.
But why should the Mariners choose to choose between the lower common demoninator and the lowest common denominator? Why are they choosing between bad and worse?
I’m saying that his flexiblity is what justifies it.
Trust me, I hate Bloomquist. Hate, hate, hate him as a player. Any game which Bloomquist starts I feel a better lineup could be on the field. I hated telling the guys at work that Bloomquist is not our offensive savior late in the year last year, they claiming he was hitting over .300 over the past whatever. I hated that I even had to debate it, it means he was getting far more plate apperances that he should.
But we need a Bloomquist type guy. Every major league team does.
A Bloomquist type, as opposed to an actual Bloomquist, perhaps.
“But we need a Bloomquist type guy. Every major league team does.”
Exactly. We aren’t paying that much for him- people like him, he is hometown…why even worry about this re-signing? You really can’t expect to spend 800k and get some ultra-talented .300 hitting superstar. He is what he is- a tough, gritty do whatever you need kinda guy that deserves the money he is being paid. Jeff Cirillo on the other hand- how much longer do we have to pay him??
But … he DOESN’T do whatever we need.
#65
Like who?
#67
He steals, can do everything but pitch (who knows, he might be able to do that) hits about .260 and has gap power. Who can do that for 650k next year?
Um, he can’t hit and can’t field. He can’t drive in baserunners, he can’t get on base and he has no power. He has almost no plate judgment. Check his numbers  they’re way, way below league-average in every category.
Batting average means nothing. I’ll give you the baserunning.
I say all this as someone who likes Willie Bloomquist. I’ve interviewed him on several occasions, shot the shit with him in the clubhouse. He’s a great guy … in fact, so much so that he knows how I feel about his abilities  I’ve written published articles about it  and he just laughs them off and flips me crap. My favorite was the time last spring that he told me that my criticism of his abilities prematurely killed his grandmother.
I’d have a beer with the guy any day. But that still doesn’t make him a good ballplayer.
Let Willie take home his pittance and be happy. Willie isn’t breaking the budget or blocking a great prospect. WFB is collecting $3,700(est.) – taxes per game, compared to Washburn, Sexson and Beltre, he is a drop in the bucket. (FYI more than I make in a month!!! )
WFB is a utility player. What are a couple 100k going to buy us to make the team better?
Gap power? There is a gap where Willie’s power numbers should be, I guess. That’s probably what you meant.
Seriously, he has 36 career doubles. In 666 at bats. For a .341 career slugging percentage. That’s not a player with gap power.
He would make a powerful Gap employee. I bet he’d be the speediest sweater-vest folder in the chain.
Great, now another one of Willie’s family members will die from all the negativity. Have you no decency, sir?
Nope, not a bit. And if Willie read that, he’d laugh, look at me, shake his head and say, “Whatever, dude.”
He couldn’t care less what I think of his baseball abilities. Which is precisely how it should be.
#53 DMZ, that was hilarious, and richly deserved. Bravo to you, sir.
Jim, the fact is that Willie Bloomquist IS a better baseball player than 99,9% of us mortals, anyway…so some of that bravado is deserved.
He’s just not very good out of the 600 or so MLB ballplayers…but hey, he’s there. Might as well hustle for your job.
uwbradley, I think the salient point here is he “tries” to do everything asked. Unfortunately for us all, he rarely succeeds, in fact less often than most other professional ballplayers. Versatility is a desireable trait when it comes to roster composition, but if Richie Sexson or Raul Ibanez offered to play shortstop, I think the powers that be would politely decline.
About as fair of a deal as two sides can make. And there is a difference between a replacement player who plays one or two positions and a “replacement Player” who plays 7 positions. I would say its roughly 500K.. For a team with a 90+ million payroll its a good investment to have…….And you guys who are obsessed with gathering replacement players…Just how many should we have? I am a big proponent of spending money mostly on stars but bitching about signing guys like Mateo and Bloomquist is a waste of effort and wrong.
Alright, so he makes double the league minimum. I don’t see what the problem is. Who else are you gonna get do that job, and how much are you gonna pay them?
Bitching about a few hundred grand in today’s sports economy is ridiculous.
#80: There’s a difference between “plays 7 positions” and “stands around at 7 positions with a glove on his hand.”
Last time I spoke up for Bloomquist I swore off USSMariner for good. Do it every year and last only a couple days. (It’s the only medicine for the off-season.) Last time, ‘ol Jim “PUBLISHED” Thomsen responded to my appeal to emotion with an eloquently stated “Piffle…”. Great, well here comes another USSMariner fasting for me.
Being the eternal optomist that I’ll see a great game, I caught yet another stinker, last homestand of last year. Some rich guy (off the bandwagon) was steadily selling me his season behind the M’s dugout at a discounted rate. Spacious, cushy, and empty. This is the only benefit to a losing season for a po-boy like me. We were trying to come back in the 7th from a three-point deficit or some other in-surmountable task, when who do I spy standing at the rail but Willie Fabulous Bloomquist.
Now, I know that it’s getting colder so he’s probably staying warm. I know that the season is almost over and he has to prove himself to the bosses. I know that he’s probably studying the other newbie pitchers looking at mechanics for next year. Heck I know that he’s probably talkin about where he’s going to eat after the game!
But, I feel like he’s into the game. I feel like he’s still trying to win. I feel like he hasn’t given up, like all the rest of your big stat-Bigger money players who look like they are just punchin the clock. Don’t tell me that this game is all stat-related. Some players give you a good feeling when you watch them hustle and strive. It’s called a show. And lo-and-behold a couple new guys come out to stand with him. He felt inspirational.
Don’t get me wrong, I want a pennant like the next guy. But I’m in it for the long-haul, win-or-lose baby. If the team is going to lose then go out trying. The Yanks didn’t take home the trophy last year with all their stats and pay-roll. The prize is won with intangible factors and dedication to mechanics. Talent can be overcome and latent.
Maybe Bloomquist standing on the rail, in the game till the last, is all I’ll remember about the last couple years. When we start winning again it will feel so sweet and that lonely Mariner will have stood his watch. It given this fan a reason to watch with him. Go M’s!
I bet getting a guy to stand at the rail in one of the final games of a losing season could come at a much lower price tag.
Personally, I believe the prize is won by vague concepts and word salad.
MSB, “Does [Gene Krantz] wear a vest when he keynotes?”
My girlfriend asked me the same thing.
As the matter of fact he does. The same type of natty little white cotton number that Ed Harris sported in the movie.
Couple different issues.
On the money: a couple hundred here, a couple hundred there, pretty soon it’s real money. Besides which, it’s a roster spot and, more than that, it’s an indication of what the organizational philosophy is, and how they construct the team.
On WB’s athletic ability: we’ve written about that on this very page. I don’t know if we need to say “he’s not a good major league player (but of course he’s awesome relatively, see references x,y, and z”.
On boycotting the site because… what, we’re not pro-Bloomquist? If you feel that strongly about it that you’re unwilling to hang around people who disagree with you, so be it. That’s your choice.
“Talent can be overcome and latent”
Yeah, I’ve never had any bother overcoming my latent talent in my quest for enduring mediocrity. Nor has Willie.
As someone who doesn’t believe WB earned his promotions through the minor league system, nor his promotion to the major leagues, nor his keep in the major leagues or at least the amount of playing time he gets, I admit my dislike for the player is probably higher than it should be. So admitting that, I’m willing to listen to any reasonable contrary argument for why he is valuable. But the problem is that no one has offered one. His intangibles? Too intangible to determine whether they exist, or have any effect on winning. Versatility? Does he do anything that the Leones or Santiagos of the world cannot do? Anything you can’t get at replacement level prices? Anything at all?
#83, heck, start a WFB fan club. Put up your very own web site. Post whatever you want.
I would suggest that WFB’s reputation could be easily resuscitated with a little of what I like to call Gillickian Statistical Analysis (GSA). A brief perusal of his game-by-game stats shows that he hit safely in 44 games out of the 82 he appeared in. Now that’s a lot of 0-fer games which tend to obscure his true Scrappiness. I am willing to bet that if you were to just take away a dozen or so of those 0-fer games, you’d get a much more favorable assessment of the young man’s contribution. Behold the beauty of GSA!
Why, he even had an OPS of .767* last year. In which case, one must conclude that the M’s actually got a real bargain.
-Pat G. from Philly
*in July
For essentially the same money and one less year, the M’s would be better off with a player who could post an OBP north of .330 like Eric Young or Willie Harris.
The prize is won with intangible factors
If they have measurable consequences, are they still intangible?
It’s fairly sad when you end your off season discussing the relative merits of your utility fielder.
#7: while grit is pretty cheap, how much for replacement level *heart of a warrior* ????
#56: the number IS 666 because it is derived from the 2/3 identified in revelations as not being associated with the great ice cream mountain in the sky…. 616 doesnt compute even if using the *new math*…. Id be more worried about Bloomie and the dark one if his slugging percentage suddenly clumb to .666 after he moved into a nice cottage in Amityville….. Of course, I wouldnt necesarily complain…
defensive metrics in general….. bluck… they are still too blunt and can too easily be used to support any statement (for example, a certain centerfielder is the worst defender in baseball)… Also, it is often hard to tease out individual contribution with the leather since so many factors can influence how easily that groundball or fly really is to catch….
Defense is still one aspect where chronic eyeballing can be just as informative as a sabermetric approach…of course this is my *humble opinion*
You guys are all forgetting that because Bloomie can play so many positions, it allows Hargove to carry 15 pitchers…. thats got to count for something
BTW, from Lee Sinins ATM (Around the Majors) Report:
The Brewers released 3B Russell Branyan.
Branyan had already been removed from the 40 man roster when he was designated for assignment on January 9.
YEAR AGE RCAA OBA SLG OPS OWP RC/G AVG HR RBI SB G TEAM
2003 27 -1 .322 .438 .759 .489 5.01 .216 9 26 0 74 Reds
2004 28 3 .324 .525 .849 .557 6.10 .234 11 27 1 51 Brewers
2005 29 9 .378 .490 .868 .623 6.66 .257 12 31 1 85 Brewers
CAR 13 .327 .480 .807 .525 5.56 .232 93 238 7 536
LG AVG 0 .339 .431 .770 .500 5.13 .269 48 200 26
Those OPSs are against LH & RH pitchers. (Some team may notice them.)
This is the problem with Willie as I see it- I think the organization is still thinking he could be a starter…
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2002746152_mari18.html
“It’s a good deal for both sides,” said Seattle general manager Bill Bavasi. “Willie has a chance to help us in a lot of different positions, starting and coming off the bench. He got quite a bit of security for a guy that hasn’t necessarily completely established himself as an everyday player.”
Bavasi added, “There’s a number of jobs Willie could compete for” this season, mentioning second base and center field.
Said Bloomquist from Arizona, before heading to Seattle for his physical: “My goal, my ambition, has always been to play on a daily basis. Whether that means a starting job at one position or playing every day at a number of positions, I’m going in with every intention of playing every day somewhere.”
Basically, the possibility exists that he’d be used like Mark McLemore or Rich Amaral, to the tune of 300-500 PAs…the difference being that he’d have to improve (substantially, in the case of being as good as Amaral, dramatically in the case of being like McLemore as a Mariner) to be as good as they were.
#83 –
Not to be overly pedantic, but…
We were trying to come back in the 7th from a three-point deficit or some other in-surmountable task
When was the last time any baseball team came back from a three-point deficit? MLB hasn’t had a three-point shot since the mid-70′s, I don’t think. Teams were unfairly running up the score, or something like that.
Yes, I know that wasn’t the point of your post, but if you’re going to try to convince people that your argument is valid (and, well, standing on the rail as indicator of a player’s “trying to win” is a stretch, but there you go), you’d do well to get the fundamental terminology of the game correct.
Damn…thats why I can never win my fantasy league….ive been stocking up on 3 point artists…. maybe I should concentrate more on guys with 3.2 ERAs….
Not being overly pedantic is not the point of this site. Especially at this time of year.
Stir it up, my blood is slowing to treacle.
‘even though he hasn’t necessarily completely established himself as an everyday player’.
Isn’t the reverse true? He has established himself as a versatile pinch runner, who should be kept away from the batters’ box.
It’s statements like this one that scare the bejaysus out of me. How much evidence does the management want to see that Willie is an indifferent hitter?
Of course the famously genial Bill Bavasi might just be feeling too polite to call Willie a scrub in the press.
#98– of course, that it what they say about him every year, and he hasn’t made it as a starter yet.
“Of course the famously genial Bill Bavasi might just be feeling too polite to call Willie a scrub in the press.”
What? There’s no reason Bavasi should call out Bloomquist for all of his shortcomings in the press. They have words to describe employers who call out their employees in the press, but I’m afraid most of them aren’t very appropriate for this public venue. To act like this is somehow a shortcoming of Bavasi’s is ridiculous.
Deanna points out that “125 Bremertonians per home game at $30 per average ticket will make up $300k above replacement cost in gate sales.”
#103– of course, that it what they say about him every year, and he hasn’t made it as a starter yet.
What do you call July 23rd through August 29th last year? If hat’s not a starter, I don’t know what is.
I didn’t mean to imply that at all. I’m worrying that Bill thinks of Willie as a starter, when in all probability he knows and understands Willie’s role as we do, and is just polite enough not to say so in the papers.
Lots of marginal players get offended at the idea of being called ‘utility’ players, much less ‘scrubs’; Bavasi’s public tact is entirely appropriate.
The problem with the Bremertonian theory is that WB is probably putting them all on the comp list, so the team’s only making concession revenue off them.
I don’t know what Bill thinks of Willie.
I do know that Chuck and Howard have so much esteem for the guy that they have gone as far to say that he will always be on the roster as long as they are in charge. They value him so much for his “determination to win” and his ability to make productive outs that they overlook his many shortcomings. They have said and actually believe that “good things happen when Willie is in the lineup.”
This signing isn’t a horrible signing in itself. However, having Bloomquist on the roster is a problem in itself because he will continue to be used in a much more expanded role than is good for a team whose objective is to score runs.
well, Bavasi hasn’t exactly leapt to fill a spot permanently with Bloomquist– you’ll recall them picking up Cabrera in April two years ago, and last year claiming Valdez off waivers when Reese went on the DL on opening day…. and during the stretch last year after Boone was let go, Bloomquist played at 2nd, 3rd, short & in the outfield… not just at 2nd.
Hargrove? from the News Tribune on Aug. 11 last year: “Despite his recent success, utilityman Willie Bloomquist hasn’t convinced Seattle Mariners manager Mike Hargrove that he’s an everyday player. But the South Kitsap High School graduate might be making progress. “He has opened a lot of people’s eyes and he has impressed me,” Hargrove said. “Has he changed my mind about him being a utility player? Not necessarily, yet. But he’s gone down that road quite a ways.”
I do know that Chuck and Howard have so much esteem for the guy that they have gone as far to say that he will always be on the roster as long as they are in charge.
Assuming that is accurate, this statement alone should be grounds for their dismissal. Do you have a link for this? Actually, no, never mind. I don’t want to risk punching my monitor and breaking it and my hand.
#109– “I do know that Chuck and Howard have so much esteem for the guy that they have gone as far to say that he will always be on the roster as long as they are in charge.”
I thought that was Edgar
perhaps I am looking in all the wrong places, but I haven’t found anything that links Bloomquist with Armstrong or Lincoln or his gritty “determination to win”, let alone something citing Willie’s permanent place in their hearts.
#111 and #112 – Below is an excerpt from something I wrote shortly after a meeting I had with Howard Lincoln and Chuck Armstrong among a small group of season ticket holders:
The Willie Bloomquist discussion started up right away. The first season ticket holder who got to speak started listing his likes dislikes about the team. When he got to Willie his eyes lit up and he made the comment that he really liked him and that “good things always seem to happen†when Willie is in the lineup. I groaned out loud, but what came next made me feel that I was punched in the gut. Both Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Armstrong lit up like kids at Christmas. Mr. Armstrong told the WFB lover that he agreed that “good things DO happen when Willie is in the lineup†and went on to say that as long as he and Mr. Lincoln were in the positions they were in, Willie Bloomquist would always have a place on the roster.
I couldn’t sit quiet. I stated that WFB started 26 games in August batting second in the lineup and managed to get on base 26% of the time. I stated that this was not a formula for scoring runs and basically that I failed to see the good things that were happening with Willie in the lineup. Mr. Armstrong went on that Willie was a good bunter and could bunt Ichiro over, and mentioned he was a good hit and run man, and how he hits well to the right side of field when he’s supposed to. He also went on about his enthusiasm and tried to convince me that I would be amazed about just “how badly he wants to winâ€Â. After I somehow reiterated that he just doesn’t get on base, Mr. Armstrong finally acknowledged that they had hoped he would get on base more by giving him the opportunity to play everyday and bat second. That was that.
Jesus, I hope he’d hit more homers if we batted him cleanup, I just don’t think that would happen.
DMZ, Willie is now in a new tax bracket, so those comp tickets will cost him.
Sigh . . . more than a hundred posts on the Gritmeister. When do pitchers and catchers report?
#115 My line today is “28 more days until pitchers and cathcers report to spring training.” (but who’s counting?)
sorry, got so excited should say “catchers” natch.
I was basing my math more on all the Bloomquist fans I’ve encountered in the upper decks of Safeco. Hmm. Maybe I should have said $20 per ticket instead.
Or, to put it in another perspective, for $650k you could either have a 2-bedroom house in Greenlake, or you could have Willie Bloomquist.
You know everytime I see the title of this post, I keep dreaming that little Willie Dynamite was sentanced to 2 years in the Kitsap County Jail for impersonating a major league baseball player. Only to realize that, it’s us who’ll have to do the time.
#118 – The house on Greenlake would likely take more walks and field about as well as Willie.
I think they should allow Willie the opportunity to get on base more by playing everyday and batting second……..at Tacoma. Seriously, I hope H.L. and C.A. were just blowing smoke to appease the season ticket holders, but that just seems like wishful thinking at this point.
#120: Yes, but who cares about getting on base when your outs are so incredible?
“not a formula for scoring runs”, indeed.
If Adrian has one of his .300 OBP years, Everett keeps his OBP low as he has in all but one year this millennium, Lopez and Betancourt keep demonstrating that middle infielders in the Caribbean don’t win MLB jobs by walking off their island, and Bloomquist ends up in the lineup somehow (say…replacing Reed, who as I recall Lincoln and Armstrong are NOT enthusiastic about), over half the M’s regulars may have a problem keeping their collective OBP over .310. Add in a month or two where Ichiro hits an empty .280 and it’s a struggle to get 4 runs a game all over again . For all the justly derived optimism about an improved offense, this team’s ability to draw walks is their major weakness- and Bloomquist as a regular (along with signing Everett) just amplifies that.
Can’t wait to see Willie showcased in one of this year’s commercials. It’s probably safe to assume that the Marketing Dept knows he’s clearly a “fan favorite” at this point.
And so the legend of the most overhyped 25th man in the history of baseball marches on…
Lopez is from Venezuela. Maybe he’ll take a walk. Miguel Cabrera can take a walk. Okay, I’m daydreaming here…
Willie told us that the Mariners asked him if he’s been at FanFest. He said he would if the Mariners asked him to, but he’d rather stay in Arizona and work out, that every day of work before spring training (all of seven miles from his house) is precious to him.
Does that make Kenji Johjima a slacker?
124 – Indeed. I forsee a team of all Willie Bloomquists manning every position on the field putting it to the Yankees.
Just because the Yankees would be so creeped out by it.
Oh, and we’ll be down some players because of the World Baseball Classic. I expect Willie will get LOOONG looks in some places.
#126– FanFest AND a speaking engagement at the Kitsap County Bremerton Athletic Roundtable
#127-128 sigh. I loved the Griffey clone commercial.
129. well, Joel, Beltre & Ichiro.
This guy is like a bad case of athlete’s foot. We picked him up somewhere on a shower floor and now we can’t scrape him off our roster.
Frankly, this offseason has made me ready for a complete restart. Cont-alt-del out of this mess. Fire Bavasi, fire Hargrove, fire Chuck… get some people who know what they’re doing in here.
Tempest in a teapot. So Willie gets less then 1 million a year for two years. He probably wont make his performance options so there’s no need to kvetch about this. Utility man, good late inning base stealer, and gives people options. Fine.
As for the arguement we could go get someone outside the organization to do this, yeah we could. But why? Just because it “might” have been a cheaper option doesn’t mean it would be. Besides, I’d rather have a utility guy be someone from our own organization that we can at least reward for his hard work then some Joe Schmoe that the fans have no attachment to.
People’s hatred of Willie Bloomquist is flat out amazing to me. I don’t think he’s a great ballplayer either, but as a 25th man on the roster he’s fine. As long as he’s used in a role that best fits his skillsets, the rest is a wash.
Jose Lopez will win the 2nd base starting job anyway.
Besides, I’d rather have a utility guy be someone from our own organization that we can at least reward for his hard work
That has its own value within the organization, and that’s not a bad thing to reward on any ball club, as long as it’s a reasonable contract, which I think it is.
Because the current management has shown an complete inability to use him correctly or with restraint.
Willie should go for the same reason you take draino away from toddlers. They can’t be trusted with it. They can’t be trusted not to do something harmful to themselves because it’s a pretty color.
When Willie is getting almost 200 at bats a year… you shouldn’t be given him as an option.
“complete inability to use him correctly or with restraint”…..Well they typically start him once a week and pinch run/defense when needed 3 times a week…..I would hardly call that crazy…its just how every other team uses its utility guys….When injuries happen he starts…not that difficult of a concept….Pick another topic to overeact to
The issue with Willie in general, and this contract in particular, is that he is the very definition of replacement level talent. As such, why lock him in for a two year contract, when he is replaceable by, what, probably 40 or so guys in all of baseball who make the league minimum?
If he gets hurt, or loses the little baseball talent he DOES have completely, then you’re paying him significantly above the league minimum for even less reason than you are now, for two years.
Not to mention that now that he’s making $800k a year, there will be pressure to get him into the lineup to make him “earn” his money.
It’s the kind of small bad contract that chips away at payroll flexibility over time. Is it the end of the world? No. But it’s still a bad move.
F-Rod… he had nearly 200 hundred official at bats both of the last two years. Pick another topic to condescend to.
It’s not a massive misfire, it’s another in a string of dissapointing moves that make me crave a mangement overhaul.
Re 135:
The organization doesn’t use Willie right, so we must therefore punish Willie.
And 200 at bats is nothing. That’s 1.23 ABs a game. At Bloomquist’s average rate of getting on base, he is not going to cause detrimental harm to the Mariners chances of winning a particular ballgame. And in those ballgames where he doesn’t get an at bat and is used in the capacity that is best suited for him, then his chances of possibly having an impact on the victory or loss increases.
“Not to mention that now that he’s making $800k a year, there will be pressure to get him into the lineup to make him “earn†his money.”
Does Hargrove have little index cards with player salaries on them like Earl Weaver used to have little index cards with player stats? Bloomquist is making barely more than what he was before, and maybe less than he would have gotten in arbitration. I really doubt that there’s going to be any significant pressure to use Willie more. By April 5th, Hargrove probably won’t even remember what Bloomie signed for. If he was making $10M, then there’d be pressure to keep him in, heck, if he was making $2-3M, maybe you’d have a case, but $800K is pocket change, a small drop in the large bucket of a $90M payroll.
“It’s the kind of small bad contract that chips away at payroll flexibility over time. Is it the end of the world? No. But it’s still a bad move.”
If the M’s overpaid 6 bench players each by $500K, they lose $3M of payroll flexibility. That’s less than the amount they overpaid Everett, and it’s really, really not a lot in a $90M payroll. The contracts to worry about are the back ends of massive 4-5 year deals and the $3-5M contracts given to replacement level players.
If Willie was below replacement level, fine, then they’d truly be abusing the concept of replacement level. But this is like me stopping by the local convenience store for slightly overpriced milk — sometimes you pay a little bit extra for the sake of convenience, save some time, and you get on with your life.
What bothers me with the _two-year_ retention of Willie Bloomquist is simply that this organization, the Ms, tolerates mediocrity. Willie steals a base, makes contact against LH pitching, has reliable hands in the field, and shows up the slugs with his hustle; he has no power, won’t work a walk, has below average range anywhere you play him, and is to a useful player what a centime is to a franc. There is a place for loyalty to your own players in this game, yes—when the team plays better than .500, that is. Bloomquist is a nice joe, and so is Bill B.; we can finish last with both of them, and are now one man closer to doing so again.
The willingness, not tolerance, but willingness to burn a spot on the 25-man on a guy like Willie, particularly after a roundly miserable offseason trying to flesh out a 90-game loser of a squad is sucktastic, is what it is. I can come up with all the reasons why this isn’t an awful move, in and of itself. But in the context of building this team this move is just too, too telling of expectations hereabouts. I don’t expect to throw too much money at the kind of outcome which follows such expectations.
. . . Not to be negative, or anything. : (
#139 – And 200 at bats is nothing. That’s 1.23 ABs a game. At Bloomquist’s average rate of getting on base, he is not going to cause detrimental harm to the Mariners chances of winning a particular ballgame. And in those ballgames where he doesn’t get an at bat and is used in the capacity that is best suited for him, then his chances of possibly having an impact on the victory or loss increases.
He averaged 4 ABs per game in August. The trend before Bloomquist got injured was that he was an everyday player batting second in the lineup. Using Bloomquist in this way is detremental to scoring runs and winning particular ballgames.
Just another example of loving the hometown guy, just a bit too much.
I’ve always liked seeing what a guy can do on his contract year. Extra incentive to play well. Guaranteed years make it ‘lax for the wrong guys, sometimes.
Re: Mat
No, it’s not likely that Armstrong is going to be putting a post-it on the lineup card saying “Why not bat Willie cleanup today?”
But look at it the other way. If Willie stays planted on the bench most of the time, people will start to think, and say, “Why did we lock this guy up for 800k a year for 2 years to ride the pine? He’s GRITTY. Get him in the lineup and see what he can do when he has a chance to start!”
Yes, they’ll ignore that his performance has been poor when he DID have a chance to start. People are illogical like that.
And I don’t think I said that deals like the Washburn deal aren’t the greater evil; my point was that these small errors DO add up over time. $3 million a year more to work with can mean the difference between getting a Millwood instead of a Washburn. (as a recent example that yes, wasn’t that simple)
I think the most disturbing thing through all of this is the fact that he got 249 ABs last year, and let’s not forget he missed the entire final month of the season with that hammy injury. Had it not been that, he surely would have pressed 350 and beyond. The years before, 200 each, which I can live with.
Giving a guy a raise, also seems to come some kind of bind to give him more playing time, which I hope the organization doesn’t feel. Say no to Willie in the box.
He also put in 580 or so innings in the field last year… and about 500 or so the year before. That is not a bench/utility player. That is a guy the organization is irrationally in love with. And dumping him would have been, to me, a good sign.
I’ve said this before… but it’s startling how close my favorite football team (Dolphins) and baseball team (Mariners) have been the last few years.
And right now the Mariners remind me exactly of the ineptitude and drain-circling of the Dave Wannestadt led Dolphins. Teams once on the brink of real success… let that team deteriorate as they clung desperately to it… and a series of bad decisions and small fixes interspersed with large disasters.
Finally the old guard in Miami was wiped clean and Nick Saban came in. He will have the Dolphins in the playoffs next year. If we had kept Dave we would have years more of misery.
The Mariners need to figure it out and I don’t think that will happen without a complete change of direction.
“There is a place for loyalty to your own players in this game, yesâ€â€when the team plays better than .500, that is. Bloomquist is a nice joe, and so is Bill B.; we can finish last with both of them, and are now one man closer to doing so again.”
Are you seriously trying to tell me that the 25th man on the squad determines whether a team is above .500 or not? You cannot be serious. Again, I am not a Bloomquist defender, but cut the disengenous commentary eh?
“He also put in 580 or so innings in the field last year… and about 500 or so the year before. That is not a bench/utility player. That is a guy the organization is irrationally in love with. And dumping him would have been, to me, a good sign.”
580 innings… in the field. 1740 outs. 64.4 full 9 innings. Of course, he didn’t play a full 9 innings in every appearence, which is why he’s appeared in 82 games. So he averaged 7 innings per appearence. 7 innings in 82 games. Well I suppose Bloomquist is capable of ruining the game entirely all by himself in 7 innings worth of work per those 82 games, leaving only 2 innings per game for the monumentally superior other players to make up for his shortcommings.
I don’t know why I’m throwing out random stats, because in this case it doesn’t mean anything.
“I’ve said this before… but it’s startling how close my favorite football team (Dolphins) and baseball team (Mariners) have been the last few years.”
We have shitty quarterbacks, bad offensive linemen, a pot smoking running back, and great defense? Sure, I can see that.
“And right now the Mariners remind me exactly of the ineptitude and drain-circling of the Dave Wannestadt led Dolphins. Teams once on the brink of real success… let that team deteriorate as they clung desperately to it… and a series of bad decisions and small fixes interspersed with large disasters.”
This sounds oddly like a fan bitching about a bad football team. Oh wait.
“Finally the old guard in Miami was wiped clean and Nick Saban came in. He will have the Dolphins in the playoffs next year. If we had kept Dave we would have years more of misery.”
YES! NICK SABAN HAS SAVED THE DOLPHINS! IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WHATSOEVER WITH ANYTHING OTHER THEN NICK SABAN! PRAISE JESUS!
“The Mariners need to figure it out and I don’t think that will happen without a complete change of direction. ”
/sigh.
******“There is a place for loyalty to your own players in this game, yesâ€â€when the team plays better than .500, that is. Bloomquist is a nice joe, and so is Bill B.; we can finish last with both of them, and are now one man closer to doing so again.â€Â**************
What I dont get is the assertion that if a player is dead weight on a losing team, he’s worth a roster spot on a team above .500. In either scenario, its likely that the team would be better simply through addition by subtraction. In my mind a roster spot is only justified if, the 25th man is the best available for the role he’s playing while considering the cost of keeping him on the roster.
Im not a huge fan of Bloomquist. Frankly, i’d rather have Ryan Freel.
#147: In defense of Nick Saban, bringing him into an M’s leadership position certainly would signal a complete change in direction.
This is a hate the contract, not the player situation. Better players were available for less guaranteed money without a two-year commitment. The M’s also lost the use of a 40-man roster spot for two years.
Last year, Damian Jackson, in essentially the same role and same playing time as Bloomquist, posted a VORP (9.1) three times higher than Bloomquist (2.9), primarily due to Jackson’s ability to take a walk. Six runs is not a huge difference, but it is not insignificant, maybe a couple wins over the course of the season. This offseason, Jackson signed a minor league contract for $700,000 (if he makes the Nationals). Bloomquist’s two-year major league contract was wholly unnecessary.
Re: 148
http://www.wcpo.com/news/2005/local/04/05/morn/freel.jpg
I believe Ryan Freel just got into some -more- trouble with the law.
And, on opening day last season he was arrested for drunken driving. His SUV was damaged enough that he had to exit the passenger side.
Statistically, I’d rather have Freel but at least Willie keeps out of trouble… from what I know, or at least, don’t hear.
#152: Big deal, Freel barhops occasionally during the offseason….
“But look at it the other way. If Willie stays planted on the bench most of the time, people will start to think, and say, “Why did we lock this guy up for 800k a year for 2 years to ride the pine? He’s GRITTY. Get him in the lineup and see what he can do when he has a chance to start!—
I think this is where I disagree with you most. You’re drastically overestimating the extent to which “people” will care about Bloomquist’s contract. Now, when there’s no other new, people notice. Give them two months, and they won’t care.
And as for arguing against signing a player because the fans don’t know how to properly use him, or the management doesn’t know how to properly use him — that doesn’t sound like a problem with the contract, to me. If the fans raise a stink, so be it, there’s no such thing as bad press, right? If Hargrove can’t manage the team right, then fire Hargrove and get a manager who can, but that shouldn’t make or break your decision on Bloomquist.
#152– there is barhopping, and there is drinking so much you get arrested for disorderly intoxication or operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, careless driving and having an open container in a motor vehicle….
Re: 152
Big deal? His major incident happened hours after opening day.
http://www.wcpo.com/news/2005/local/04/05/reds_arrest.html
“The officer said he observed Freel’s Yukon SUV stopped on the entrance ramp to Southbound I-471… According to the police report, the vehicle turned around, going over a traffic island then had trouble staying in the correct lane on Dave Cowan Drive.”
This happened in addition to expired license plates and severe damage to his vehicle from earlier in the evening. Apparently, he also said he hadn’t had anything to drink and then failed five sobriety tests. It’s not bar hopping, it’s called stupidity. That said, everyone is more than entitled to make mistakes. It seems as if he’s developing a problem though.
Typical idiot fan… give me a break. There’s no need to be an ass.
Step one: Re-read your inane response to my post.
Step two: Be ashamed of yourself.
Step three: Actually adress what I said.
Yeah, it’s startling how much it sounds like you’re talking about a football team when you’re talking about a football team.
And you think the turn-around in Miami is attributable to what exactly besides Saban?
One: I did.
Two: No.
Three: You had nothing worth addressing. You’re making a bigger deal out of nothing. You want to call for a complete management overhaul and direction change because the most recent event was the straw that broke your camel’s back. You’re frustrated, I understand that. I was plenty pissed off when I saw the Everett and Washburn signings too. But Willie F. Bloomquist sticking around as our 25th man on the roster does not make or break our season now, next year, or ever. You’re pissed about other things and using Bloomquist as a microcosm. In other words, there are bigger issues afoot here and bitching about Bloomie is disengenous.
The Dolphins talk is off topic.
Good grief, man. The Dolphins talk wasn’t off topic at all. What is your problem? You are always about as unpleasant as you can be.
And I don’t believe disengenuous means what you think it means. Because there is nothing dinsengenuous at all about my distaste for this deal. I never said it was the worst signing of all time, I said I don’t like it, I said the reasons why, I said I am sick of the management of this team and gave an example of how bad management can slowly kill your team and good management can right a sinking ship. All valid.
#154, #155: Once again…big deal… last season’s incident was resolved and Freel’s citation this year had nothing to do with drinking and driving…once again….claiming Freel is an albatross because he allegedly got into an argument in a bar a month ago is making a mountain out of a mole hill…
But then again…the point…he’s a much better alternative than Bloomquist still of course stands unrefuted…..
I suppose we could discuss the two’s fashion senses if you still prefer not to compare their peripherals…. Freel has bloomie beat there too though….
#159
Or, perhaps it’s pointing out that Freel has a problem with alcohol.
I agreed with you that he’s better than Bloomquist in my first post.
“Good grief, man. The Dolphins talk wasn’t off topic at all.”
Your belief was that Nick Saban turned the Dolphins around and used that as metaphor for a Mariners overhaul. My belief is that it wasn’t, but discussing the reasons why would eventually drift off topic. There is always more to “turning around” a team then a new coach.
“What is your problem? You are always about as unpleasant as you can be.”
Thanks? What do you want me to do? Agree with everything you say? I’d have to believe what you believe first. I also recognize that you’re a smart man and regularly post good points and topics on these comments pages. But for some reason your guff with Bloomie nad his contract seems to be going a little off kilter towards “insane rage”.
“And I don’t believe disengenuous means what you think it means.”
INCONCEIVABLE!
“Because there is nothing dinsengenuous at all about my distaste for this deal. I never said it was the worst signing of all time, I said I don’t like it, I said the reasons why, I said I am sick of the management of this team and gave an example of how bad management can slowly kill your team and good management can right a sinking ship. All valid. ”
“Not straightforward or candid; insincere or calculating:”
Definition courtesy of dictionary.com. To me, and like I said before, you’re just using Willie and his contract as a means of lambasting the organization for other things. In the grand schema of the universe, and baseball, Willie and his contract aren’t as bad as it seems you’re making it sound.
In respect to the definition, I just think you’re not being as honest with your feelings.
Willie Bloomquist would never make the news by getting in trouble with the law for drunken driving. Never. Ever.
Saving puppies from a burning house–now that would be a different story.