The answer

The News-Tribune has this in today's edition:

Rainiers slugger Clement looks like answer for Mariners

A year ago, there was talk among those who pay close attention to the Mariners farm system that Clement was a bust, overrated as a hitter and overmatched as a catcher. No more.

Given the struggles of Jose Vidro – his ninth-inning strikeout on Wednesday was culminated by one of the worst swings I’ve ever seen on a big-league field – Clement presents a simple solution to the designated hitter conundrum. As proposed in this space on Monday: alternate Clement and Kenji Johjima in a catching-DH platoon. Each would play regularly, while neither would be worn down by the grueling job of catching full time.

Clement doesn’t run well, so he isn’t perfect. He’s just a perfect fit for the Mariners. The team needs a left-handed bat? Check. Capable of power? Check. A hitter with the discipline to take borderline pitches and work the count, content to reach first on a walk? Check, check and check.

A couple of days ago there was this from Jason Churchill in the Post-Intelligencer:

Clement improving behind the plate

"He's really a different guy back there now," an American League scout said. "I was a cross checker for that draft and saw him in college, and he's not the same guy. A lot of us were sure he'd have to move off the position, but I don't see any reason why he can't hold down a big-league job in a year or so."

Since the end of the 2006 season, Clement has thrown out 43 percent of runners attempting to steal, best in the Mariners organization. His rapport with pitchers has improved exponentially, and his game-calling skills have followed suit. And he continues to smack the ball around the park -- he has a .696 slugging percentage.