Kenji Opts Out
Still working to confirm, but I’ve been told that Kenji Johjima has opted out of the final two years of his contract. Obviously, woo.
Edit: LaRue confirms with a quote.
“After lots of very deep thought and deliberation, I have decided to return home to resume my career in Japan,” Johjima. “I have had a wonderful experience competing at the Major League level. The last four years have been extraordinary, with great teammates and great coaches.
“I will always be indebted to the Mariners organization for giving me the opportunity to follow my dream. This was a very difficult decision, both professionally and personally. I feel now is the time to go home, while I still can perform at a very high level. Playing close to family and friends was a major factor. I will miss the Seattle fans and their gracious support. Thank you all.”
Update to the update: Jack Z denies there was a buyout. We’ll probably never know for sure.
here’s the junkheap of free agents and some potential non-tenders via BBRef:
Eliezer Alfonzo (31)
Brad Ausmus (41)
Paul Bako (38)
Rod Barajas (34) – Type B
Josh Bard (32)
Michael Barrett (33) – club option
Henry Blanco (38)
Ramon Castro (34)
Sal Fasano (38)
Toby Hall (34)
Michel Hernandez (31)
Ramon Hernandez (34) – $8.5MM club option with a $1MM buyout – Type B
Jason Kendall (36) – Type B
Jason LaRue (36)
Victor Martinez (31) – $7.7MM club option with a $250K buyout – Type A
Bengie Molina (35) – Type A
Jose Molina (35)
Miguel Olivo (31) – $3.25MM mutual option – Type B
Mike Redmond (39)
Ivan Rodriguez (38) – Type B
Brian Schneider (33)
Yorvit Torrealba (31) – $4MM mutual option with a $500K buyout – Type B
Javier Valentin (34)
Jason Varitek (38) – $5MM club/$3MM player option plus incentives – Type B
Vance Wilson (37)
Gregg Zaun (39) – $2MM club option with a $500K buyout; Zaun can void option
Potential Non-Tenders:
John Buck
Kelly Shoppach
Dioner Navarro
Corky Miller
Matt Treanor
plenty of veterans who can catch/throw and call a game. I think we’ll be okay.
[this is not a board]
As an avid reader and infrequent contributor to this outstanding site, I’d like to offer my congratulations on this good news. Good luck using that money toward improving your on-field product for 2010 and beyond.
joser wrote:
In a vacuum, you are absolutely right. However, as I read recently on Tango’s blog (I believe it was MGL commenting – I can’t find it), there may be significant value to be realized from targeting DH-only types, precisely because the trend is to look for DHs who can also field a position. If you can spare the roster spot because of defensive versatility elsewhere (Hall, Hanahan, maybe even Tui, perhaps Ackley if he moves fast), and the all-hit, no-field guys continue to be as devalued as they were last year, I’d definitely be considering a DH-only guy….
As far as the trade market for catchers is concerned, one name I’m hoping Z has up his sleeve is Ryan Doumit of Pittsburgh. There’s a lot to like about a switch hitter with 3 years left of team control who already has a 4 win season under his belt (2008). He probably wouldn’t come cheap, but considering the Pirates state of affairs, I can’t imagine he’d be “off-limits” if Z were to come knocking…
Kenji’s value this year if he had played 135-140 games (despite a shockingly bad offense, he was still on pace for about ~520 PA’s just like those 2 years): 2.1 WAR. If any given win is worth ~4 million on the FA market, then Kenji’s projected value for a full season of service is 8.4 million.
The problem, of course, is that you can’t project Kenji as a full-time player, because there’s a 0% chance he’d have been used as a full-time player. It’s like projecting a reliever to throw 150 innings. Wak wasn’t going to use Kenji as anything more than a part-time guy, so what he could have done over some number of at-bats he wasn’t going to get is irrelevant.
Yes, the contract was a boondoggle, but given the Mariners lack of depth at catcher and Kenji’s (good) regression this year, along with perhaps more consistent playing time…this is not reassuring except that it gives us money.
The M’s just removed a negative value asset from the organization. If you had a house that was worth $100,000, but you owed $150,000, you should celebrate if the bank allows you out of your mortgage even though you are now homeless.
Here’s at least one take that indicates that Kenji’s defense was A-1 Super Primo, while Rob Johnson was what we all thought Rob Johnson was.
I found the thread/comment I referred to above (and it was a Mariners-related thread to boot):
http://tinyurl.com/yhrx89q
In the context of a discussion about what the decision to give so many ABs to Junior cost the M’s, MGL first explains (just as joser did):
Then he said:
Then, in response to a question about who he might target as no-defense DH types who might be available for about replacement-level money, he offered these names off the top of his head, based on his pre-season projections sorted by projected OPS (he assumed at least some of these guys might be defensively-challenged):
Josh Whitesell ARI .872
Nelson Cruz (He is now a full-timer for TEX) .832
Joe Koshanski COL .831
Brain Bogusevic HOU .814
Chris Dickerson CIN .805
Max Ramirez TEX .800
Jason Botts TEX .800
Jason Perry ATL .803
Andy Tracy PHI .805
Tag Bozied FLO .806
Scott McClain SFN .808
Javier Brito ARI .811
Jeff Clement SEA .816
Dan Johnson TBA .817
Chris Carter BOS .817
Jason Dubois CHN .821
Mike Hessman DET .833
Mitch Jones LAN .836
James D’Antonia ARI .839
Dallas McPherson FLO .884
Yes, Jeff Clement was on the list…..
Yes, for all the criticisms of Johjima (and yes, his contract was inexplicable and bad), my main memory of him will be as they guy who led us out of the Olivo/Ben Davis wilderness. And, as hark pointed out, even his 2009 season wasn’t all that bad.
All-time Mariners catchers: 1. Dan Wilson. 2. Kenji Johjima (and based on the stats joser cites, maybe Johjima should push Wilson aside). 3. Not worth mentioning.
Sasaki led us out of the Ayala/Slocumb/Mesa wilderness, and Ichiro let us avoid even falling into a post-Buhner wilderness. We can’t always count on Japan bailing us out of roster wildernesses, but I can’t help thinking “Where have you gone Kenji Johjima, a nation turns its lonely eyes to you”.
The M’s desparately need offense, and, creaky knees and all Matsui can still hit. The Yankees need DH to rest ARod, Poasada, etc., so are unlikely to bring Matsui back. If he can’t be a Yankee, I think there is a very short list of teams Matsui will be willing to play for. Given the M’s Japanese ties, I’m sure they’re on that list, and he will probably not demand a large contract; $6-7M for 1 year is my guess.
Plus, I’m guessing the M’s Japanese owners are involved in some sort of quid pro quo to get Johjima to opt out. Given that, they probably wouldn’t mind seeing the fruit of their largesse reinvested into one of the great Japanese players.
I was struck by the difference in the interaction between Kenji and the pitchers for Team Japan in the WBC and the Mariners pitchers, particularly this year. In the WBC, even with someone like Daisuke on the mound (and after a great WBC he didn’t have a great season), Kenji seemed to be the man in charge. Then he gets back to Seattle and not so much. I wonder how much that contributed to his decision.
I always liked him.
Any indication whether Jack Z should get any credit for this, or was this really just Johjima’s decision? Don’t want to give out feathers for hats or pats on the back that aren’t deserved!
Snapper, I may be willing to look at DH-only types, but I think Joser’s point is perfectly valid unless you can get one who is fairly young and cheap. Matsui is neither. At $5-6M, I don’t think you are maximizing the value you can realize at that position. And, despite the $$ cleared by Johjima’s opt-out, the M’s still need to get $$ value per win with the players they get this offseason. This doesn’t suddenly give Jack Z. carte blanche to go to the free agent market to address team needs….
I’m impressed that Jack Z was able to convince Kenji to do this! Thanks for the memories Kenji, but I’m glad you are moving on…
This is completely off topic, but [completely off topic]
[long link, use the link button]
This was probably the secret plan the whole time…
Great minds think alike! Ive been pondering this for a few years actually. This kid is lagit! My only fear is he will not come cheap at all, he is considered on several lists of Top 10 MLB catchers. Pit will milk that for a lot….the Braves were able to steal McLouth though, so maybe its our turn!
This sounds like a win-win for the Ms and for Kenji. Kenji went out with class and I appreciate all the hard work he put in with the Mariners. I’ll remember him well, if not quite fondly.
I’m very excited to see what GMZ does with the extra Kenji money. Will he bring in a new catcher? Resign Beltre (please!)? Jack Wilson? Put the money in a Felix piggy bank? Something else? The off-season just got even more interesting.
While we’re pulling off miracles, does anyone think we can convince Carlos Silva to home too?
Thanks Kenji. According to Fangraphs Kenji was worth nearly $30 million in his time here and the Mariners only paid him $25 million (assuming $8 million for ’09). I also respect the fact that he understands that you can’t put a price on happiness, and if you’re going to be happier at home making less money, then that’s what you should do.
Doumit has the local goodness, too (he’s from eastern Washington). According to Cot’s, too, it may even be better than three years of club control – he’s locked up for next year at $3.55M and 2011 at $5.1M, then there are two more years at club option (tied together) which the club must exercise (or buy out, for $500K) after the 2011 year ($7.25M in 2012, and $8.25M in 2013, which would be his age 32 year).
That’s a fairly reasonable contract for a guy with some offensive ability and upside, especially with the cheap club out. However, Doumit’s had trouble staying healthy, and has a reputation as an average (at best) defensive catcher. He would certainly come with the risks associated with those things, and would be switching leagues to boot.
Interestingly enough, Doumit’s fourth most similar batter is Kenji Johjima.
Dave-you stated:
The M’s just removed a negative value asset from the organization. If you had a house that was worth $100,000, but you owed $150,000, you should celebrate if the bank allows you out of your mortgage even though you are now homeless.
Would you be willing to keep the house if the bank forgave $50,000 of the loan so you only owed what the house was worth? On the same note, would you be willing to keep Joh if he forgave part of his contract? Or would you still rather just be out from underneath it (homeless)?
The answer to that would mostly depend on how you view the asset’s prospects for appreciation or depreciation. In most situations (but not the past few years), real estate is considered an asset that’s likely to appreciate in value. That’s in contrast to, say, a car, which is subject to inexorable depreciation. Which do you think best describes a 33-year-old catcher?
Good point on the depreciation of the asset.
I’m not too sure that the Players Union would look very kindly on any player just forgiving part of his contractual income because he has depreciated in skill. The precedent that would set would undermine a bit of their strength.
Fure! Fure! Fure!
Not a good analogy.
Kenji was owing several million on a home worth a fraction of that, and the bank just said “Pay us what it’s actually worth instead of what you owe.”
And in that analogy, the M’s are Kenji? What?
Nero tells Larry Stone that it was all Joh’s notion.
I suppose that wouldn’t preclude Mr Yamauchi giving Joh a lovely parting gift.
So, for all the conspiracy theorists here, maybe time to just sit back and relax for a minute. Respect the man and his decision.
Second, for those dancing on Kenji’s contractual grave, remember that this leaves us with Moore and (maybe if he heals) Johnson as a catching tandem. And Wak, for whatever reason, fails to observe the sinkhole that is Johnson every time he approaches the plate, either with a bat or a mask. This decision makes us worse on the field, if better on the payroll.
Third, for those gleeful about spending the Kenji savings on a free agent catcher–really? You really think anyone on that list is a better bet than Kenji bouncing back from his .233 and .248 BABIPs the last two seasons?
Fourth, please realize that knocking the decrepit DH theory does not necessarily equate the putrid season by Griffey with the productive season by Matsui. All DHs are not created equal.
And finally, using homeless people as an analogy for this discussion is beneath this site.
If Kenji didn’t have an opt-out clause, is there anything that would prevent him from “retiring” from MLB and signing a contract in the NPB?
Wooooo!!!!!
The first Mariner news of the offseason and its great. 🙂
diderot:
I think the reason everyone here is pretty gleeful is the fact that we have a little more confidence in Zduriencik’s ability to spend $8M effectively, then we do in Johjima’s ability to be worth $8M as a middle aged catcher coming off an injury plagued season.
Personally I don’t see a huge trade off in performance moving from Johjima to a Moore/Johjima/Catcher X situation. I think that whatever difference in production the Mariners suffer from losing Johjima, will be more then offset by the potential gains of a much more flexible payroll.
Well, OK, everybody Go back to Dave’s October 6 article and add 8 million… and we see that now Jack Z. has more like ~2.1 million per WAR to play with in salary flexibility, instead of ~1.7.
This helps things, but it still means Zduriencik isn’t going to be able to sign the Mariners into contention (unless management is willing to REALLY crank the budget up, which is dubious).
I echo what lots of others have said. I want to add my voice of thanks to Kenji for his hard work and the time he gave to help our team. To me, he always seemed to be giving it his best. In my judgement, that unfortunately seems to be a problem in today’s sports culture. That’s all I think one can do in life. I don’t know the factors that went into his decision of course. But, if some of it was made on the basis of what is better for the team, a huge thanks even more to you Mr. Johjima. I will never know, but I wanted to put that out there. Much appreciation. Best wishes for the man and his family.
Adam, I agree.
My point was for those who apparently think we should go out immediately and spend the cash on the best available free agent catcher.
If the money goes instead to more scouting or international free agents or cheaper beer at Safeco, fine. I just fear the knee jerk reaction of spend-it-now for someone who won’t serve us better than Kenji.
But then, as you say, it’s Z making the decision.
Should he just save this money for Felix in the future?
I don’t think the Mariners should earmark money for anything yet. I don’t think Zduriencik has chiseled anything in stone as to his off-season plans; Outside of general goals perhaps, and this “windfall” may or may not have any impact on what he does this off-season.
I do agree that I don’t think the Mariners can simply buy their way into the post-season.
The cash and free agents available just aren’t conducive to that approach, and it’s not the way a smart team operates.
What we can conclude is that this team has been very astute at acquiring quality players within a very limited budget, and I don’t think that approach is thrown out the window simply because a few more dollars show up.
No, it doesn’t make us worse on the field, because Johnson was going to be the main guy regardless. Nor does this leave us with Moore and Johnson as a catching tandem — Moore probably isn’t ready, and if you go up and look at crelsner’s post, you’ll see there are plenty of serviceable catchers out there who shouldn’t cost much, some of whom at least could probably give us roughly comparable production to what we would have been likely to get out of Kenji.
Nobody was. Chill.
Thank freaking God.
It’s not that I don’t appreciate what Kenji has done, but rather that I have no interest in having him on the roster for that insanely stupid price tag.
This is one of the best pieces of new the M’s have had in quite a while.
Even as he parts
he surprises us still: he
will not block the plate.
HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORAYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!