April 26, 2008
The Johjima Contract
The Mariners signed Kenji Johjima to a three-year contract extension despite having a hot prospect in the minor leagues:
That was the word put out by Seattle general manager Bill Bavasi in announcing the extension, which The Associated Press reports is worth $24 million and runs through the 2011 season. Johjima, who is 31 and was hitting just .200 with a dismal .514 on-base-plus-slugging percentage heading into Friday, will remain the No. 1 catcher for the foreseeable future.
But Bavasi sees Clement getting time behind the plate as well.
"I would guess that at some point along the way, because of Jeff's bat -- and assuming Kenji plays the way he can -- Jeff's going to get exposed to another position at some point," Bavasi said. "But we have not given up on him as a catcher. A left-handed hitting catcher with power, those are real tough to find. So, this doesn't change Jeff's track to the big leagues much at all. Because his track to the big leagues is with his bat more than his glove anyway."
Of course, if Johjima plays well, $8 million a year for a good catcher is a reasonable price tag, and the Mariners might be able to move him at some point.