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Willie Bloomquist and the Seattle Mariners have agreed to a two-year contract worth $1,875,000, tearing up the final season of his previous deal.
Bloomquist had been scheduled to earn $875,000 next year. The new contract calls for a $100,000 signing bonus, $825,000 next season and $950,000 in 2008, the final year before he is eligible for free agency.
He can also earn an additional $25,000 for 275, 325, 375 and 425 plate appearances next year, and $50,000 for 525 and 575. In 2008, he would earn $75,000 for 450, 500 and 550 plate appearances.
A Seattle-area native who turned 29 Monday, Bloomquist was the Mariners' third-round draft choice in 1999 out of Arizona State. He batted .247 in a career-high 102 games with one home run, 15 RBIs and 16 stolen bases in 19 attempts. His streak of 19 consecutive stolen base attempts ended in May.
Bloomquist made starts at five positions last season: center field, second base, shortstop, third base and right field. He was one of several center fielders who replaced Jeremy Reed after Reed broke his thumb in July. Ichiro Suzuki settled there during the season's final month
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