Kenji Signs

The Seattle Mariners have signed catcher Kenji Johjima to a 3 year contract extension. Kenji has been off to a very slow start this season which in some ways makes the timing of this announcement a little odd. However a good defensive catcher that can hit for average and put up decent numbers is pretty rare in this league. When Kenji is on his game he is a reliable bat near the bottom of the line up that produces runs. I like Kenji and I am glad he will be around for another couple of years.

What I also hope this means is that the Mariners can stop trying to make power hitting prospect Jeff Clement into this great defensive catcher and just call him up and slot him in at DH. While Jose Vidro has had some productive at bats as of late he is still a liability in this line up. Too many times he is an automatic out when we need a hit. This team needs a boost and I think a young guy like Clement who is eager to show his worth is just the jolt they could use.