Smart Move: Utilityman Willie Bloomquist Re-Signed by Arizona Diamondbacks

As the Arizona Diamondbacks prepare for a repeat of their remarkable 2011 performance, GM Kevin Towers completed a key step by re-signing free agent Willie Bloomquist to a $3.8 million, two-year contract.

Though Bloomquist has never been an overwhelming talent in Major League Baseball, he has proven himself a vital and steady component of this burgeoning Arizona club.

Over 97 games last season, Bloomquist hit .266 with 26 RBI, 10 doubles, four homers and two triples, yet he was a vital backup utility player for the Diamondbacks during some of their most trying times in 2011.

When starting shortstop Stephen Drew missed the first two series of 2011 with abdominal pain, Bloomquist replaced him in the leadoff role, hitting .357 with five RBI and a home run.  

When Drew broke his ankle on July 20, Bloomquist was again called upon to fill the void. Once more, Bloomquist did not disappoint, hitting .316 over 79 at-bats in the month of July.

After Drew's season-ending ankle injury and the appointment of Bloomquist as an everyday player, the Diamondbacks won a remarkable 42 games while losing only 22.

Specifically, Bloomquist provided the Snakes with crucial RBI hits during their wins against the San Francisco Giants on August 1, the Houston Astros on August 9 and the Giants again on September 4.

Bloomquist batted .318 (7-for-22) with three runs scored during Arizona's 2011 NL Division Series versus the Milwaukee Brewers, dropping down a pivotal squeeze bunt to tie Game 5 in the top of the ninth inning.

A .988 lifetime fielder, Bloomquist's five errors were second-fewest among all National League shortstops who played a minimum of 50 games, and his 2011 fielding percentage of .979 was sixth-best in the league. He is a versatile athlete who has played every infield and outfield position during his career, save for pitcher and catcher.

In the end, the Diamondbacks were not going to find any productive utility players at a cheaper price or with better value than Bloomquist.

This move is a victory for Towers, the Diamondbacks organization and manager Kirk Gibson, who can now count on another reliable veteran in Bloomquist as the Diamondbacks ready their 2012 campaign.