Willie Bloomquist Traded to Reds

In the future, you might remember today as the end of the Willie Bloomquist era, as he was traded just a while ago to the Cincinnati Reds for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

The utilityman hit .265/.305/.364/.669 for the Royals in just under two seasons. After signing Bloomquist to a $3.1 million contract over two years, the Royals gave him a career high in plate appearances in 2009 while playing him everywhere on the diamond except pitcher and catcher.

The signing was ridiculous at the time (and still is) for a career utility player who was never above replacement level and coming off a 2008 season in Seattle where he collected one extra base hit. Somewhere between the Pacific northwest and Kansas City, Bloomquist discovered some power, as he had 37 extra base hits for the Royals.

Most notably, Bloomquist will be remembered for his grit, guile, and gamerness. But also for Ned Yost‘s bold move of batting him third that August day in Detroit, then prophesizing that he’d get two hits. Later that afternoon in the top of the 12th, Bloomquist put the Royals ahead with a homerun to left field.

We’ll always have Detroit.

Godspeed Willie.

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