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"12M spent on Balfour would have many times the impact of 6M for Bloomquist."
Boy do I agree with your statement. NOTHING saps a team's will like frequently blowing hard-built leads. Only teams with outstanding offenses can afford to bring in relievers who routinely give up runs. I think we can all agree that barring a perfect storm of circumstance this offense will be average, average-plus at best. And if the young guys don't step up it could be below average.
You look at the history of the entire Mariners' organization and one characteristic that jumps out at you immediately is "penny pinchers." And, ironically, the penchant for these penny pinchers to overpay for pets like Bloomquist while refusing to address glaring roster needs because of payroll constraints. Penny pincher is not the same as cheap. Cheap will never spend. The Mariners have on occasion spent. But they have ALWAYS been penny pinchers. Example, Tino Martinez. It's what drove Lou Piniella insane after he and Gillick had built a formidable team.