Take a flier on Kenji Jojima?

[Stupid Flanders]

He's a free agent catcher from Japan. Excellent defense, hit .299 with 30 HR last year. Could be Posada's trade off partner..

[Yanks21]

He supposedly doesn't speak English. That would be a problem...

[yankees76]

You settle a pitcher down with words. I just don't see it.

[surge511]

I don't want an expensive catcher who can't speak English and have 20 million dollars tied up in catchers.

[27IsNext]

No. He speaks no English. Plus, we're trying to cut payroll. (Assuming we can't trade Posada of course.)

[Bambino22]

I don't think the language barrier will be a problem. The only way I would try to go about this however is If we can dump Jorge.

[Rich]

I honestly don't know enough to have an opinion.

[brosiusbuddy]

.299 and 30 hr in Japan could very easily, and very likely, equal .240 and 10 in the US where the pitching is better, the balls don't fly nearly as well and there will be a definite adjustment period. Add that to the responsibility of having to learn all your pitchers and Jojima, mark my words, will be a huge flop if he plays for a MLB team.

[yank4life2005]

According to a recent article in Newsday is Kenji is taking english classes.

[Mark19]

Sometimes limited language capacity doesn't matter that much. When Wang pitches to Posada, how on earth do they really understand each other?

[27IsNext]

I will say this, assuming we can trade Posada, he's a better option than what else is out there. Personally, I'd rather just keep Posada.

[brosiusbuddy]

Sometimes limited language capacity doesn't matter that much. When Wang pitches to Posada, how on earth do they really understand each other?

Wang has had a couple years of US life to pick up a little bit of English. Remember he came up through the system and was not picked up directly from Taiwan.

[yankees76]

Also, the catcher does the directing, not the pitcher, especially when the pitcher is a rookie.

[JeterRodriguezSheff]

i heard last year was an off year for him and that he was much better the year before and the year before that. That can be bad or good. He might regain his former from and put up good numbers in the USA. Or the drop off can be from the decline that most catchers go through and he might only decline from here on out. Personally I would not make this move, but i would try to dump posada and sign Hernandez or somerbody.

[yanksphan]

.299 and 30 hr in Japan could very easily, and very likely, equal .240 and 10 in the US where the pitching is better, the balls don't fly nearly as well and there will be a definite adjustment period. Add that to the responsibility of having to learn all your pitchers and Jojima, mark my words, will be a huge flop if he plays for a MLB team.

Yeah, just look at that Iguchi guy.

[RhodeyYankee2638]

Yeah, just look at that Iguchi guy.

I think Iguchi actually did worse in Japan than the US

With Benji and Ramon Hernandez free agents, there are at least 2 good candidates if we happen to need a catchere

[JDPNYY]

I heard on the radio (of course to be taken with a grain of salt) that the Mets scouted him all last season and are very intent on signing him.

[JeterRodriguezSheff]

I heard on the radio (of course to be taken with a grain of salt) that the Mets scouted him all last season and are very intent on signing him.

That most likely means that we should stay far far away.

[lem]

Supposedly he's been taking English lessons:

http://www.newsday.com/sports/printe...y-sports-print

[JapanJobbers]

I actually see him going fairly cheap, maybe 3 or 4 million.
He wants to come in as the starter. I think playing time would be more important to him than money.
I think he ends up in Seattle and will be quite a bargain.

[BJG]

Beyond the language barrier, he injured his throwing shoulder this season and had a leg injury. Healthy, I think you could see how his English is and consider him. Breaking down, I think you have to pass.

[brosiusbuddy]

Yeah, just look at that Iguchi guy.

Both Hideki and Kaz Matsui saw drastic declines in their numbers.

[George Steinbrenner]

I honestly don't know enough to have an opinion.

me too. I dont know. Ask Matsui if hes any good.

[parkerstrong]

I would try him out, but I wouldnt pay too much for him...otherwise let someone else overpay for him.

[wileedog]

I did read somewhere that he is very unpopular with his teamates and considers himself a star above the game - think Japanese Terrell Owens. I'll see if I can track down the article.

If that's the case, he probably won't take a backup or split-time position with Jorge anyway.

[JeterRodriguezSheff]

I did read somewhere that he is very unpopular with his teamates and considers himself a star above the game - think Japanese Terrell Owens. I'll see if I can track down the article.

If that's the case, he probably won't take a backup or split-time position with Jorge anyway.

Just what this team needs, a TO that we wouldnt even be able to understand.

[SoCal Pinstriper]

A source said Friday that the Mariners are close to signing Jojima to a two-year contract worth about $8 million with an option for a third season.

The 29-year-old Jojima was in Seattle on Friday, although he wasn’t accompanied by his agent, Alan Nero.

Jojima – who is attempting to become the first Japanese-born catcher in the major leagues – was said to be looking for a three-year contract worth between $16 million and $18 million.

The source said the Mariners – who are grooming 2005 first-round draft pick Jeff Clement as their catcher of the future – wouldn’t guarantee Jojima a third season.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports...-4825286c.html

[The Yankee Captain]

Signed with the Mariners per ESPN radio, 3-year deal.

[Mr. Mxylsplk]

Just what this team needs, a TO that we wouldnt even be able to understand.

Well, TO would probably be a lot less annoying if no one knew what the heck he was whining about.

[buntsalot2]

Signed with the Mariners per ESPN radio, 3-year deal.

it was a shorter swim.....from Tokyo Bay to Seattle!