“Once again Seattle sports “experts” prove their idiocy by letting the best value player in the franchise slip away – good luck in KC Willie! Hope you get your ring as a Royal! “

Best value player in the franchise!?!?!?! I almost sent hot chocolate flying out my nose!
Another classic:

“So when the Royals get him and play him on a regular basis then tell me that he is not so great and that his bat doesn’t show up because he is the real deal and if given the opportunity to be a full time player he will surprise many of you that don’t know your butt from a hot rock. And, for those that know, Willie was part of one of the greatest South Kitsap Baseball teams of all times. Do some homework before you spout off about a great player and a true sportsman from right here in Washington.”

I didn’t realize being from Washington meant a lifetime contract with the Ms…

Aaron M.

However, it will be nice to see WFB out of here. Of course, the Mariners will just need to bring in another backup middle infielder, who will likely be white gritty and full of clutch, and all of us will be crying from the safety of our mothers’ basements about how well-loved he is by the Seattle sports media. It’s just the way of things.

I’ll be taking the under, though as Bill Simmons might lament, you can’t find anywhere to lay a bet on things like this.

I’m a bit surprised that Willie didn’t end up in the National League. His multipositionness has double switch written all over it.

I wonder if the Cubs put out any feelers to reunite Lou and WFB. Having said all that, a two-year deal AND an alleged chance to start would seem to good to pass up under any circumstances.

And, GOOD for WFB. The guy never did anything off the field to bring attention to himself, and I hope he has a nice run as KC’s 2B. For all the grief he gets (and I give it, too) I hope the guy has success.

Firstly, I’ll be surprised of the Royals don’t end up with a better record than the M’s this season.

I don’t know about that. By Pythag the Royals overachieved last year (75 wins vs predicted 72) whereas the M’s underachieved (61 wins vs predicted 67). So far this offseason the M’s have significantly improved (one of their biggest liabilities — outfield defense) and the Royals really haven’t; meanwhile the Angels, who really beat up the M’s last season, have actually gotten weaker, while none of KC’s in-division bête noires (everybody except Detroit) have. Of course the offseason is far from finished, but as it stands at the moment I could see the M’s easily making up that 5 game difference. I’m not as enthusiastic as some people around here looking for the M’s to contend — I think .500 is a fine target to shoot for, and might actually be a stretch — but I would be surprised in 2009 if they didn’t outperform even a Williefied Royals team.

Here’s Rany’s take.

Rany on the Royals

I’m a bit surprised that Willie didn’t end up in the National League. His multipositionness has double switch written all over it.

I am still searching for a reason that Scott Boras represents him. I suppose there are other pedestrian players in Scott’s entourage, but I sure don’t know of any.

However, the really shocking thing to me is that the Royals will pay Horacio Ramirez $1.8 million to suck this year.

Willie Article at KOMO