The Royals and Willie Bloomquist have reportedly come to terms on a two-year deal.

http://hotstove.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/01/royals_bloomquist_have_twoyear.html

The Royals and infielder Willie Bloomquist have reached an agreement on a two-year contract, MLB.com learned on Friday.

Bloomquist is expected to compete for the Royals' second base job with Alberto Callaspo, who finished last season as the regular at that spot.

A right-handed batter, Bloomquist, 31, played seven seasons with the Seattle Mariners. He had a .263 average in 540 games and played every position in the infield and outfield.

The deal was pending a physical examination which Bloomquist was scheduled to take on Friday in Kansas City. His contract was believed to be worth about $3 million for the two years.

He doesn't have much power - just six homers in his career - but has 71 stolen bases in 87 attempts. His on-base percentage is .322 for his career, including .377 last season when he batted .279.

"He's an on-base guy, a speed-type player and a hustler," Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. "He's a Craig Counsell-type who really plays hard, hustles and knows how to play."

Bloomquist is regarded as an "igniter" who is also well-regarded for his leadership abilities. Moore said his best positions are second base and center field.

If the deal goes through, this apparently will fill the Royals' quest for a seasoned middle infielder who would supplement shortstop Mike Aviles, who was the Royals Player of the Year in his rookie season.

Are there any worse run organizations than the Royals?

This starts good and gets even more hilarious.

Includes Ichiro, Edgar, Alvin Davis, Boone, Tartabull, Wilson, Buhner, Ibanez....and is beyond spot on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hIXkxxYx_A&e

Notable other words to fill my post: There is a whole series of these. This guy knows everything, I wonder if he practices them or what. You can check the related videos to see dozens more of them. Some of the highlights include Mo Vaughn (sox), Ryan Klesko (Braves), and Lenny Dykstra (mets).

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080617/SPORTS/623385744

It's not the greatest source, but I'd believe it at this point. The article says that the team is likely to call up Bryan LaHair to take his spot from AAA Tacoma. LaHair is hitting .260 with 11 HR and 41 RBI, with an .828 OPS. I am not high on LaHair particularly, but anything is progress right now. Mac also mentions in the article that Clement will catch a "majority" of the games after being called up. Let the Kansas City Shuffle begin.

It's just fact. I think we get caught up in how much we miss him in his lefty specialist role, but outside of dominating Seattle, he's been awful. Just blew a save against the White Sox and has been really roughed up by the Yankees and Toronto as well. I wish the best for George, but his current situation is going to hurt his career at least somewhat and future value I'm afraid.

Thoughts? This would be a nice pickup for the hawks. He's had problems with discipline and conditioning in the past, but I think he's a great solution for the giant hole we have there, regardless. He's 30 but has got the be the best FA TE out there.

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via Rotoworld:

According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, "there are strong indications the Twins would be willing to move Matt Garza for a top young hitter."

The Twins previously passed on dealing Garza for the likes of Alfonso Soriano, but new general manager Bill Smith has made it clear that he's hunting for impact bats after the team struggled to score runs in 2007. Garza projects as a potential No. 2 starter, has yet to turn 24 years old and has a 4.47 ERA in 133 career innings, so he's likely to be a popular trade target.

Wlad and/or Clement for Garza? What do you guys think  about the possibility of this, and is that enough to get him?