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Japanese Catcher Kenji Johjima, who signed with Seattle Mariners for three-year $16.5 million, might say no to World Baseball Classic.
As one of the best catcher in Japan, who is also the starting catcher in 2004 Athens Olympics for Japan, Johjima join Mariners might means he will not participate in World Baseball Classic next spring.
Original Johjima should be on the Japanese team, he is very close to Sadaharu Oh, who manage Johjima when he played in Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, and also the manager of Japan Team. But inaugural World Baseball Classic is played during spring training, which means Jojima need to make a choice.
“We’ve discussed it. And we will cross that bridge when we come to it,” Mariners GM Bill Bavasi said.
During the press conference, when asked about “what you are going to do about the World Baseball Classic?” Jojima said “I have had an offer. But the time of the tournament is when I need to get to know the team and when the team needs to get to know me. Mr. Oh said that, “Spring Camp is important, so use it for you”. I don’t think I will attend [the WBC].”
Q & A session with Kenji Johjima
Jojima joining Ichiro
Mariners catch a rising star in Johjima
M’s plate Johjima
