A few days after learning that Bloomquist had declined his end of a $1.1 million mutual option

Man alive that takes some nerve. Does he really think there's more money out there for him? Is he right? If so, why?

Versatile, scrappy, coming off a good season - he's going to get a multi-year deal (like the guy who hit .169 did).

McDonald didn't "hit .169" in any meaningful sense, and that's kind of ######## for Boras to put it that way.

Thank god that Willie was even dumber than Towers. I know DBacks fans loved having this worst player in baseball hustle for them, bu man alive his do GMs not see through that ?

When did Boras pick up Willie? And why?

I do think it is good strategy for a Willie to decline the option. His last season was decent for him, so a two-year contract or another deal with an option is likely, a one-year deal at worst is probable.

Man alive that takes some nerve. Does he really think there's more money out there for him? Is he right? If so, why?

Brian Sabean.

His last season was decent for him

-0.2 WAR in 381PA/97G is not decent. Although, he did outperform his career 76OPS+ with a 79OPS+. I just looked over his #s & Bloomquist sucks more than I thought.

I think Bloomquist is a better hitter than John McDonald (not saying much, but only twice in 13 seasons has McDonald bested Bloomquists career 76 OPS+, and one of those times was in 9 games in 2000), but McDonald's glove makes him a better player. I guess Bloomquist has the versatility feather in his cap in that he can play outfield. But if you can't find a better bat than that to stick in LF for a game or two you're in trouble.

I'd certainly rather have McDonald.

I'm having a hard time working up a head of steam on this one. All I got to say is since drafting Drew in 2004, (and signing him in 2005) the D backs have not developed one major league middle infieder to make any positive impact in the majors.

All I got to say is since drafting Drew in 2004, (and signing him in 2005) the D backs have not developed one major league middle infieder to make any positive impact in the majors.

How quickly we forget Dan Uggla.

What's even more hilarious than the Kevin Towers - Scott Boras power play over a completely fungible futility infielder are the comments from the Dbacks "faithful" on azcentral following this article. Those are some dumb comments.

My feeling is Boras felt he had a power play here because Stephen Drew (ironically, another client of his) is hurt and may not be ready for spring training. So he gambled Kevin Towers was desperate and stupid enough to overpay for Willie.

Except Kevin Towers was having none of this, and I applaud his decision if only for the hilarity that ensued. Willie, take a hike. Johnny Mac, come on over. If Drew misses significant time in 2012, Dbacks will be screwed at SS anyhow.

I do have to give Towers props for another twist here. He not only kicks Willie to the curb (as he should), he is now using Willie as a lever to drive the negotiations with Aaron Hill. Basically, "sign here, Aaron, or we go back to talking to Willie."

Anyhow, Willie's demands for a multi-year deal from AZ are about as dumb as Doug Davis's demand for a 3 year deal from AZ once he became a free agent. Willie will get his deal just like Davis got his... oh wait. Willie will be lucky to have a spring training invitation.

Another point: Bloomquist is a local kid (went to ASU), so that gives him some street cred in the Valley. Plus, he's a white scrappy guy who sucks just enough to be a fan favorite. Remember, these are the same fans that loved Eric Byrnes several years ago. Not a smart crowd

All I got to say is since drafting Drew in 2004, (and signing him in 2005) the D backs have not developed one major league middle infieder to make any positive impact in the majors.

Well, that's pretty strict criteria, given that you're talking about a grand total of two positions. I would guess there are an awful lot of major league clubs that haven't drafted and signed a middle infielder who's made a positive impact in the majors since 2005. I think in the entirety of the NL West, the only positive-impact middle infielder drafted and developed since Stephen Drew is Tulowitzki, unless you want to count Dee Gordon.

adding that his client could land with a team that views him as more than a utility player.

Long Island Ducks?

Willie Bloomquist, future Angels.

To make room, the Angels will trade Erick Aybar for the corpse of Derek Jeter, so they can bring in two players the Angels must have. More washed up players.

Plus, he's a white scrappy guy who sucks just enough to be a fan favorite. Remember, these are the same fans that loved Eric Byrnes several years ago. Not a smart crowd

Though this doesn't give him a leg up on McDonald as he is a scrappy, white, fan-favourite too. (I for one, and I know many other Jays fans, will miss him to a degree all out of proportion with his WAR) Though I suppose Bloomquist had the benefit of a full season to become a favourite in Arizona while McDonald just had a month.

So, after this communication breakdown, the Diamondbacks are going to have to say thank you to Bloomquist and show him a whole lotta love or he'll be going to California?

It's time to ramble on.

Well, that's pretty strict criteria, given that you're talking about a grand total of two positions. I would guess there are an awful lot of major league clubs that haven't drafted and signed a middle infielder who's made a positive impact in the majors since 2005. I think in the entirety of the NL West, the only positive-impact middle infielder drafted and developed since Stephen Drew is Tulowitzki, unless you want to count Dee Gordon.

We are talking 7 years, and there isn't anybody even close on the horizon either.

And when I say positive impact, I really mean positive WAR...not an "impact player" like a Tulo.

I find it toublesome we can't place more than one D Back on this rather unimpressive list

OH...and iksveL, Ugglas drafted in 2001, 3 yrs before before Drew.

D Backs stop drafting middle infielders in the early rounds and those they did draft haven't gotten close...except Bonifacio that a poster in another forum pointed out to me. Of course Boni had negative WAR before this year and has played 2/3 of his time in the majors at 3b/OF before this year.

There was Callaspo !, but he was traded for, and finished product and full fledged wife beater by the time the D Backs got him, and his wife was the only thing he hit while with AZ

It's a lack of Alexi Casilla that kept the Diamondbacks from making the NLCS.

Robert Plant's girlfriend?

I guess I'm surprised Boras wastes his time on a guy like Bloomquist. I gotta believe Willie spends a lot of time talking to Boras' interns, perhaps leading to this "communication breakdown".

Scott Boras doesn't turn down anybody, and Bloomquist is a major league player. Besides, its good PR for Boras to get a good contract for his smallest clients just as much for his biggest clients. It shows that he cares about every client on his list.

Shoe,

There's former SS/2B Mark Reynolds. :D

As bad as Reynolds has been at third lately, I wonder if he isn't in fact more valuable as a shortstop. I also wonder if he is particularly ill-suited to third base moreso than a position like second (which I've heard you talk about before).

7 years without developing a starting middle infielder? How about 15 years without developing any position player???!!!??
The last regular position player developed by the Seattle Mariners before Dustin Ackley was Alex Rodriguez (1996). You
coud count Jose Cruz, Jr (1997) but he played two months and was traded. Actually, Willie Bloomquist, as awful as
he is, is the best position player drafted by Seattle in the last 15 years (pre-Ackley).

I agree that it would be nice to see Bloomquist have to eat S*** and have to take a minor
league deal with a non-roster invite, but some foolish team will probably give him
his two years, $2.5 mil deal. Boras has probably convinced him that he can get
him a starting job and get him $2-3 mil a year.... I pity that foolish team!

24 comments on the decision whether to sign Bloomquist or McDonald? Really?

24 comments on the decision whether to sign Bloomquist or McDonald? Really?

New here, huh?

And when I say positive impact, I really mean positive WAR...not an "impact player" like a Tulo.

I was looking for positive WAR, actually. Other than Tulo, the only NL West middle infielders drafted since Drew with positive WAR are Dee Gordon (0.5) and Brandon Crawford (0.1).

I find it toublesome we can't place more than one D Back on this rather unimpressive list

Well, there are only 47 players on the list. If they had 2, they'd be over-represented.

Another point: Bloomquist is a local kid (went to ASU), so that gives him some street cred in the Valley.

Is he living in the Valley now? He grew up in the Northwest, and the Mariner faithful always called him the "boy" from Port Orchard even as he was pushing 30. He went to ASU for school, but so did Pedroia and he's no local.

New here, huh?

Ha. I believe Sam M. is here because he is warily eyeing the situation should Jose Reyes bolt. It's possible the Wilpons may watch one of Boras' infamous presentations and become utterly convinced that Bloomquist held Arizona together at SS in 2011 after Drew's injury, and would do the same in NY if asked to replace Reyes.

And it's possible WFB would get his 2-year guaranteed contract to be a regular starter, the one he's been seeking ever since he broke into the majors.

And then Sam would lead the self-immolation ceremony. (Lead? Preside over? Officiate? I'm not sure of the proper term.)

7 years without developing a starting middle infielder? How about 15 years without developing any position player???!!!??
The last regular position player developed by the Seattle Mariners before Dustin Ackley was Alex Rodriguez (1996). You
coud count Jose Cruz, Jr (1997) but he played two months and was traded. Actually, Willie Bloomquist, as awful as
he is, is the best position player drafted by Seattle in the last 15 years (pre-Ackley).

Willie Bloomquist is better than Adam Jones?