Mariners see catcher logjam as a blessing

Where some see a logjam of catchers that puts the Seattle Mariners in a difficult situation, the Mariners see strength in numbers.

Where some wonder if Kenji Johjima can hit well enough to maintain his status as the No. 1 catcher, or if missing much of spring training because of the World Baseball Classic will stunt his progress, the Mariners say they’re not worried.

The Mariners may have as many questions about their catching as they have catchers, but they’re not complaining.

Johjima, Jeff Clement and Rob Johnson occupy spots on the 40-man major league roster. Jamie Burke signed a minor league contract and will go to spring training with a great chance to be a backup for the third straight year. And behind them is fast-rising Adam Moore, who had a big year at the Class AA level.

Unless the Mariners make a trade, someone will play in the minor leagues despite being major league-ready.

“It’s a good situation when we can say there’s not room for a guy in the big leagues, so we want him to go down and play more,” said Roger Hansen, the Mariners’ catching coordinator. “But then again, we’re starting to run out of room.”

It will be interesting for the catchers who are at the Mariners’ camp in Peoria, Ariz., and also for the guy who won’t.

Johjima is on Japan’s roster for the World Baseball Classic and probably will miss most of spring training. The WBC runs from March 5-23 and Japan is considered a favorite to repeat its 2006 championship.

Johjima will have nearly two weeks with the Mariners before the regular season begins April 6.

Hansen, who coached in Japan from 1998-2001 and got to know Johjima long before he became a Mariner, doesn’t believe the WBC will hold him back.

“He’ll get enough playing time over there that I don’t think it will affect him that much,” Hansen said. “He’ll be in shape and ready to play.”

Clement’s defense has been questioned to the point that many wonder if he shouldn’t play first base or DH, especially with the Mariners needing the left-handed power he offers.

Hansen said he believes Clement must remain a catcher.

“You can go to first base and DH at any time,” Hansen said. “He needs to improve his throwing, but his receiving and blocking are OK. You don’t want to give up on that at 25 years old.”