M's lock-up Johjima

by tommy.otm on Apr 26, 2008 11:59 AM EDT

3 year deal, $24 million. My initial thought was "Jeff Clement, drool." Apparently Buster Olney had the same reaction. (link requires membership...)

"What follows is pure speculation; to repeat, pure speculation. With the Mariners now committed to Johjima for the next few years, it might make sense for Seattle to offer catching prospect Jeff Clement to the Red Sox in return for outfielder Coco Crisp, with other players also involved in the deal; the Red Sox would have to include some pitching.

"Boston is looking to improve its catching depth and Clement could give them a solid alternative one day, as Jason Varitek enters the last years of his career, and the Mariners desperately need to stabilize their outfield situation. Crisp could play right field, with Ichiro Suzuki remaining in center, or, if Ichiro preferred right, Crisp could play center."

Never mind that Coco in RF is a ridiculously terrible idea, especially with Ichiro and his arm being relatively wasted in LF. Clement is apparently having a strong season thus far at AAA -

Clement is tearing up the Class AAA ranks for the team's Tacoma affiliate. The first-round draft pick from 2005 is hitting .364 with an on-base-plus-slugging percentage of 1.161 with five home runs and 17 runs batted in over 66 at-bats.

I don't know much about Clement's defense. And I don't know what else it would take beyond Coco. Bowden? Hansen? Anyone but Masterson? Git er done, Theo.

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Jeff Clement

I like him. What about Coco and LUGO? I mean, come on, it’s the MARINERS, maybe they are this stupid.

Walk on, walk on With hope in your heart And you'll never walk alone You'll never walk alone

by MerryGoByeBye on Apr 26, 2008 1:10 PM EDT 0 recs

I like him too

but I’ve read that he’s not a legit catcher in the long term. Having said that, I’d like him on our club.

Bottom 9th B:1 S:0 O:0 With Bill Mueller batting, Dave Roberts steals (1) 2nd base.

by britsoxfan on Apr 26, 2008 2:33 PM EDT 0 recs

Discussion re Clement on Minor League Ball

here

Bottom 9th B:1 S:0 O:0 With Bill Mueller batting, Dave Roberts steals (1) 2nd base.

by britsoxfan on Apr 26, 2008 2:41 PM EDT up 0 recs

Disagree

He has average defensive skills. Could use some better footwork. However, what makes him a great catcher is his ability to call games. He sounds just like Tek is/was. He doesn’t have as good of an arm as Tek did when he was younger before he messed up his shoulder.

I REALLY like Clement as a catcher, the reason Tek is one of or the best catchers in the majors is because of his bat and his ability to work with pitchers and call great games. He has called 3 no hitters (Should have been 4 if Schilling didn’t shake off that pitch last year). We all know the stats of dropping our pitchers ERA by a run. That ability I feel is more important as a catcher then throwing out an extra 10 SB a year.

by drabidea on Apr 27, 2008 4:53 PM EDT up 0 recs

I hadn't heard...

That Clement was a decent manager of rotations. Hmmmm…

Of course, I think the M’s still want him as a thumper at first or DH. They’re not so much for maximizing assets up there in Seattle. Pretty country, though.

by nuthinboutnuthin on Apr 28, 2008 2:00 AM EDT up 0 recs

Honestly, that's the first time I've read praise of Clement's ability behind the plate.

It’s good to know. (Or ‘meh’, if we don’t pursue him.)

Bottom 9th B:1 S:0 O:0 With Bill Mueller batting, Dave Roberts steals (1) 2nd base.

by britsoxfan on Apr 28, 2008 3:10 AM EDT up 0 recs

Sources

Here are my sources for my statemtents.

http://www.moundtalk.com/prospects/jeff-clement-scouting-report/

http://ussmariner.com/2005/06/07/jeff-clement/

by drabidea on Apr 28, 2008 12:15 PM EDT up 0 recs

Sure,

but I always take scouting reports written by a team’s fans, however expert, with a pinch of salt (and they do know their stuff on USS Mariner). Jeff Clement is a masher who might stick behind the plate and that to me doesn’t look like a replacement for Varitek. We’ll see in the next season or two though, I suppose..

A good opportunity to post a link to a discussion on USS Mariner for those who might not have seen it before. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Bottom 9th B:1 S:0 O:0 With Bill Mueller batting, Dave Roberts steals (1) 2nd base.

by britsoxfan on Apr 28, 2008 4:04 PM EDT up 0 recs

Sources

Yeah I know the sources weren’t that great. That is why I figured I would show you guys my cards before I make a total ass of myself.

That being said, I think he would be a good/great catcher it would just take way too much to get him and he is still a risk.

by drabidea on Apr 28, 2008 4:49 PM EDT up 0 recs

Heh.

Well, if he’s comparable to, say, Posada, that’s a very good player, whose offensive ability can mask any defensive failing.

Bottom 9th B:1 S:0 O:0 With Bill Mueller batting, Dave Roberts steals (1) 2nd base.

by britsoxfan on Apr 28, 2008 4:54 PM EDT up 0 recs

I'm thinking that...

The Mariners probably have plans for Jeff Clement, seeing as how they’re relying on Sexson (in the last year of his K?) and Vidro (just not that good) for their traditional power positions (1B, DH) and I’ve always heard that Clement was a much better hitter than a catcher.

In light of that, I think it would take more than I’d like to surrender for Clement.

Of course, it is Bill Bavasi. I think we should offer Crisp, Lugo, some of Matt Clement’s old uniforms, a delicious Fenway Frank and cash (like $ 12.50) for Jeff Clement and King Felix. I’d say we have a better than 50-50 shot at it.

by nuthinboutnuthin on Apr 26, 2008 3:25 PM EDT 0 recs