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Johjima losing grip on his career
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Johjima hit a home run, just his fourth this season and first since June 24. He picked up just his fifth RBI since June 28. It takes a offensive splash like this for me to notice the 32-year-old catcher. He's been the lost Mariner since Jeff Clement arrived to stay in mid-June. You have to wonder, what's the future for Kenji Johjima?
Let's go back to April 25 in Seattle. That was the day the Mariners announced that Johjima had signed a three-year, $24 million contract extension with the club. Why so long? Why so much? Why, at all? After all, the organization's best prospect was a catcher. Clement was 24 years old (turns 25 Thursday) and was ready to take over the position. The organization also had another bright catching prospect in Rob Johnson, known more as a strong defender.
Former general manager Bill Bavasi told the incredulous gathering at the press conference that Johjima would continue to be the regular catcher. “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 the club has not used Clement at any other position other than catcher in the minors or the big leagues.
Now, here we are in mid-August and Johjima virtually has lost his starting catcher's position to Clement. He has played in just five of the 15 August games.
Johjima was hitting just .194 at the time of his signing but the club insisted that it was just a rough patch, that he would return to his .289 career average he established in his first two season here. Johjima now is hitting .218 with four home runs and 24 RBI. He hit .130 in July.
Clement has not exactly pounded the ball, hitting .220 with five home runs and 17 RBI in 163 at-bats, but he's getting the starting nod. He has played in 38 of the 51 games since his second promotion on June 17.
So who's the catcher of the future? It has to be Clement. What's going to happen to Johjima? Who knows. He may turn it around next season and switch off the catching position with Clement. The club may use him more at first base or DH. Or he could turn out just like Richie Sexson. Johjima may not recover his hitting skills and the club would be forced to release him well before his contract expires, eating the remaining amount.
Unless he changes, his days are numbered with the Mariners.
Topics: Clement vs. Johjima
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