Around the Horn: Catcher

SEATTLE -- The Mariners knew what they needed going into the 2006 season.
After another disappointing year that put them in last place in the American League West, the team entered the offseason with a strong desire for more thump at the plate, more balance in the clubhouse, and more consistency in starting pitching and on the bench.
They didn't necessarily seem to think they had to sign a starting catcher first, but, surprisingly, that was what they did, and they did it in grand style, nabbing Japanese import Kenji Johjima with a three-year, $16.5 million deal.
Johjima, 29, became the first catcher from Japan to sign with a Major League organization, and for good reason. He can hit, with a career batting average of .299 with 211 home runs and 699 RBIs in 11 seasons (1,117 games) with the Pacific League's Fukuoka Softbank Hawks. And he can play defense, too, with seven Japanese Gold Gloves to his credit. Scouts love Johjima's strong arm and surprisingly quick feet.
"This was a unique opportunity for us," general manager Bill Bavasi said at the time of the signing. "We had a chance to acquire offense at a premium position and we went after it aggressively. We are excited to sign Kenji, and believe that this signing is one more step in our transition.
"As soon as he steps on the field, he makes our Major League roster better, and that's what we needed as we headed into this offseason. It is also significant for us since this (signing) will not involve compensation during next year's amateur draft."
The Mariners will put Johjima right into the starting spot and most likely let Rene Rivera, who showed promise at the plate in limited opportunities with the big club last year, learn from him as the backup. Last year's first-round draft selection, catcher Jeff Clement, will continue to learn as another top-notch prospect in the Minor Leagues.
One thing Johjima will have to learn is English, and some Spanish wouldn't hurt, either, since he'll be catching future ace Felix Hernandez, whose English is limited.
Bavasi said recently that Johjima, who speaks limited English, already has started working with a tutor in Japan to learn English and Spanish.
"When we met with him [in Seattle], he made a point of using English as much as he could," Bavasi said. "That leads me to believe he will be fine. He is going to have to pick up English, and Spanish to a limited degree, and we have to have some patience with him."
Mariners manager Mike Hargrove said recently that he didn't foresee any problems.
"I think, given the facts he has started his English lessons and has a strong desire to play over here, language won't be an issue," Hargrove said. "I don't anticipate it taking him a long time to catch up. Kenji is a good baseball player, number one. And it has been my experience that good players know how to get people out."
The only other question mark about Johjima was his health. The catcher batted .309 (127-for-411) with 24 home runs and 57 RBIs over 116 games in an injury-shortened 2005 season. Johjima broke the tibia in his left leg on Sept. 22 and missed the remainder of the season.
At the time of the signing, Bavasi said that an MRI showed that the injury wasn't completely healed, but added that it was a clean break and "it's a non-issue."
That means Mariners fans should expect to see Johjima healthy and ready to play in Spring Training and they should expect a lot more production and consistency from the catching position.
The consistency part shouldn't be very difficult.
If Johjima is quick to adjust to the Major Leagues, he figures to be an impact player, the kind that will at the very least put an end to the game of musical chairs that centered around the Seattle backstop in 2005.
Last year, the Mariners had seven different catchers, from the young (21-year-old Double-A callup Rivera), to the old (42-year-old veteran Pat Borders), to the Miguel O. crowd (Miguel Olivo, Miguel Ojeda), plus Yorvit Torrealba, Dan Wilson and Wiki Gonzalez. That crew was a combined 113-for-524 (.216) with 10 home runs and 46 RBIs.
The Mariners are betting that even a subpar year from Johjima would eclipse that production rather easily.
"There's always a risk in a multiyear, high-dollar contract," Bavasi said at the time of the signing.
"But if anyone was to say the catching has been bad and it can't get any worse, there is some truth to that."

Source: http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/