D’Backs, Bloomquist Reach Two-Year Agreement

The Diamondbacks reached a two-year agreement worth $3.8MM with utility man Willie Bloomquist, reports Scott Miller of CBSSports.com.  Peter Gammons was first to report the deal on Twitter.  Bloomquist had reached free agency by declining his side of a mutual option on November 1st.

A deal between the D'Backs and Bloomquist's agent Scott Boras seemed unlikely a few days ago, when Boras and GM Kevin Towers debated who owed who a phone call.  Boras explained to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic on Saturday, "It sounds to me like what happened is, they got upset when Willie opted out. They got emotional and they went out and signed a guy who hit .169."

Boras was taking a shot at John McDonald, another utility infielder who the D'Backs re-signed to a two-year deal earlier this month.  Towers has been generous with such role player multiyear contracts, as Geoff Blum was inked to a two-year deal a year ago.  The Diamondbacks are well-covered in case Stephen Drew is still recovering from July ankle surgery when the season begins.  They're also covered if they are not able to sign Aaron Hill, leaving an opening for a second base platoon.

Bloomquist, 33, hit .266/.317/.340 in 381 plate appearances this year, playing mostly shortstop and left field.  The Giants had also made an offer to him this month.