Asking again

One question regarding an ex-Rattler that seems to pop up everywhere is the one involving the current Mariner catching situation. It's time for Jim Callis of Baseball America to field the question in his latest Ask BA column. I have bolded the ex-Rattlers

How do you see the Mariners resolving their catching logjam? They gave Kenji Johjima a three-year contract extension through 2011, former first-round pick Jeff Clement is ready to go and they have two more catchers waiting in the wings coming off strong seasons in Triple-A (Rob Johnson) and Double-A (Adam Moore). Who plays where next year? What can they get for Johjima?

David Heckendorn
Andover, Mass.

Priority No. 1 should be figuring out if Clement can be a regular catcher in the big leagues. He should hit for power and some average, but he has yet to make scouts believe that his throwing, receiving and agility are up to par for a big league backstop. I'd let Clement play two-thirds of the games behind the plate and mix in some DHing, with Johnson serving as his backup. Johnson is also versatile enough to pick up some extra at-bats as an outfielder.

Moore still needs to polish his defense, so spending the bulk of 2009 in Triple-A would be good for his development.

As for Johjima? The three-year, $24 million deal that ownership (and not former GM Bill Bavasi) gave him was a mistake with all the catching depth the Mariners had on hand. Johjima didn't help matters by falling apart at the plate, and even when he was passable offensively in his first two seasons in the United States, he didn't hit enough to merit playing at another position.

There are plenty of teams that need catchers. New GM Jack Zduriencik should be willing to eat most of Johjima's contract so he can trade him for a mid-level prospect. Seattle isn't close to contending, and Johjima isn't going to be part of the solution.