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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Mariners re-sign Bloomquist


Utilityman Willie Bloomquist, right, will get a chance to wave to Mariners fans for a couple of more seasons after signing a two-year deal on Tuesday.
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press

The Seattle Mariners and utility player Willie Bloomquist agreed Tuesday to a two-year contract worth $1,525,000.

The deal is pending a physical.

Pitcher Gil Meche is the only Seattle player remaining in arbitration.

Seattle used Bloomquist’s versatility last season, when the 28-year-old played at first (one game), second (32 games), third (six games), shortstop (24 games) and the outfield (15 games).

Bloomquist had career highs in at-bats (249), batting average (.257), doubles (15), RBIs (22) and stolen bases (14) last season. He is hitting .261 in 267 career games.

“He helps us in a variety of roles, including the ability to steal a base and play almost any position on the field,” general manager Bill Bavasi said.

Bloomquist tied a team record with three doubles on July 6 against Kansas City, but his season ended early after he was placed on the disabled list Aug. 30 with a strained left hamstring.

He gets a $50,000 signing bonus, $625,000 this year and $850,000 in 2007. He can earn $150,000 in performance bonuses this year based on plate appearances and $250,000 in 2007. In addition, his 2007 salary can escalate by up to $250,000.

Meche asked for a raise from $2,535,000 to $4.2 million and was offered $3.35 million.

Royals sign Affeldt, Hernandez

The Kansas City Royals agreed to one-year contracts with two of their key pitchers, right-hander Runelvys Hernandez and left-hander Jeremy Affeldt.

The 27-year-old Hernandez, 8-14 with a 5.52 ERA last season, gets $1,225,000. He was the opening-day starter in 2003 but missed the 2004 season following elbow surgery. He made $325,000 in 2005.

The 26-year-old Affeldt, a Northwest Christian High School graduate, gets $1 million. He converted to a middle reliever last year and finished with a 0-2 record and a 5.26 ERA in 49 games. He became the only pitcher in the American League to make at least 25 starts and 120 total appearances over the past three seasons.

Teixeira rakes in dough

Mark Teixeira can concentrate on the part of baseball that is easy for him: playing the game. The difficult part is taken care of for at least two more years.

The Texas Rangers and their All-Star first baseman agreed on a $15.4 million, two-year contract, allowing them to avoid salary arbitration this year and next.

“I’m happy to get this deal done and kind of get the business out of the way,” Teixeira said. “I enjoy playing the game. This isn’t always an easy part of it. I’m glad to get ready to play the game.”

Teixeira hit .301 with 43 home runs and 144 RBIs while starting all 162 games last season. The RBIs were the most for a switch-hitter, breaking the record of 136 by George Davis for the New York Giants in 1896.

Clearing the bases

Third baseman Joe Crede and the Chicago White Sox agreed to a one-year contract worth $2,675,000 and avoided salary arbitration. … Pitchers Erik Bedard, Bruce Chen and Todd Williams agreed to one-year contracts with Baltimore, along with outfielder Corey Patterson. … Boston reliever Guillermo Mota avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $3 million contract. … Detroit agreed to one-year contracts with right-hander Jeremy Bonderman, right-hander Chris Spurling and first baseman Carlos Pena avoiding arbitration with all three players. … The Los Angeles Angels agreed to one-year deals with right-handed relievers Francisco Rodriguez and Scot Shields. … Left-hander Ted Lilly and Toronto agreed to a $4 million, one-year contract. … New York Mets pitcher Victor Zambrano agreed to a $3 million, one-year contract. … Catcher Brian Schneider agreed to a $16 million, four-year contract with Washington and first baseman Nick Johnson came to terms on a $3.2 million, one-year deal. … All-Star closer Brad Lidge and reliever Dan Wheeler agreed to one-year contracts with Houston, avoiding salary arbitration. … Arizona agreed to one-year contracts with Gold Glove second baseman Orlando Hudson and shortstop Alex Cintron, bypassing salary arbitration. … Right-hander Aaron Harang agreed to a $2.35 million, one-year contract, avoiding salary arbitration with Cincinnati. … Russell Branyan cleared waivers and was released by Milwaukee. … The Dodgers have agreed to a minor league contract with pitcher Aaron Sele and invited him to spring training. … Police can’t use Denny Neagle‘s statement to an officer who cited him on a charge of soliciting a prostitute because the pitcher wasn’t read his rights. Neagle was ticketed in the Denver suburb of Lakewood in December 2004 after a woman in his car told police he had paid her $40 for sex. Colorado terminated his contract, but later agreed to an undisclosed settlement. … Pitcher Jason Marquis and St. Louis agreed to a $5.15 million, one-year contract, a raise of $2.1 million. … Right-hander Kip Wells, the major league leader with 18 losses last season, passed up salary arbitration and agreed to a $4.15 million contract with Pittsburgh. … Right-hander Zach Day agreed to a one-year, $600,000 contract with Colorado, avoiding salary arbitration. … Atlanta agreed to one-year deals with starter Horacio Ramirez and reliever Oscar Villarreal.