Burke Re-Signed

by ~ December 23rd, 2008 at 11:33 am

According to Geoff Baker, backup catcher Jaime Burke has signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners.

After being non-tendered, I thought Burke was a goner for sure.

John Hickey recently had an article featuring quotes from new manager Don Wakamatsu:

Wakamatsu said both Kenji Johjima and Jeff Clement figure to be in the lineup regularly. Clement, the Mariners’ 2005 first-round draft pick, probably will serve as the designated hitter when both are starting.

With Johjima and Clement getting little scheduled rest, the Mariners are likely to carry three catchers in 2009.

“We’re talking about it,” Wakamatsu said. “And as we go down the road, Jamie Burke isn’t out of the question. Rob Johnson is a possibility, too.”

Burke played with the Mariners last season but is a free agent after the club declined to tender him a contract offer. The Mariners told Burke they might want him to return. But they also told him to see what kind of job he can get on the open market.

I didn’t think much of the article after I read it.  I figured that talk of having Johjima and Clement in the same lineup was only in “if the season started today” context.

Burke is no guarantee to make the club out of Spring Training, and his re-signing doesn’t necessarily mean anything, but here are a couple of ideas:

One, perhaps GM Jack Zduriencik isn’t planning on bringing in a DH, and alternatively could be looking to add a big bat in left field.  Of the name’s that have been flying around, none figure to be great defenders, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.

Two, maybe someone is getting dealt.  Burke’s re-signing suggests that Rob Johnson is on his way out, because he has absolutely nothing left to prove in AAA, offensively or defensively, and already looks like a solid MLB backup catcher.  A few weeks ago there were some Johnson for Jeremy Hermida rumors, but the Marlins reportedly wanted more (Adam Moore, that is).  There are other trade possibilities as well, including sending Clement to the Red Sox.

We’ll keep on eye on it.  Burke’s return could mean nothing, or it could be a major clue as to what could happen next.

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  • ernier

    I think this is another very solid move by the organization. It’s a small move and isn’t a move that will bring us the AL West title, but it is a smart move.

    I do beleive this means that Rob Johnson will be traded before Spring Training. I think the catching situation will most likely be Johjima getting the higher number of starts at catcher to see if he can get back on track; with Clement getting a couple of starts a week at catcher and the rest of the time he’ll DH. Either Burke will make the team or Shelton will make the team and be the emergency catcher.

    It would not be a bad scenario to have Burke start the season in Tacoma to help tutor Adam Moore from a defensive standpoint. Having Burke in Seattle or Tacoma to start the season is a solid move either way by the organization.

  • navychief2004

    Jon,
    The more I think about it, and believe me, I have been thinking about it quite a bit since the rumors started, I don’t necessarily see trading Clement to the Red Sox negatively. I don’t see a repeat of the 90′s, when we gave away Varitek. Also, we have more catching depth this time around. We would be okay letting Johjima and Burke handle catching duties until Moore and Johnson are completely ready.

  • http://bleedingblueandteal.com Jon Shields

    I would agree that dealing Clement to the Sox wouldn’t be so bad if there’s a possibility of getting Masterson, Bowden, Anderson or Lowrie. All would be tough to get from them, but if any of them could be had the deal could be worth while.

  • http://myspace.com/tr1ckz pmbaseball7

    Do you think they would deal Lowrie straight up for Clement?

  • http://bleedingblueandteal.com Jon Shields

    I have no idea. Probably not, but who knows?

  • http://myspace.com/tr1ckz pmbaseball7

    Yeah he would be a good pickup he could play SS, 3B, and 2B. James predicts .276 10 Hrs and 83 rbis in 544 at-bats. Marcel predicts .268 6 Hrs 49 rbis in 306 at-bats. At SS UZR of 4.9 and UZR/150 of 21 in 49 games, at 3B UZR 1.5 & UZR/150 of 7.7 in 45 games also in 3 games at 2B he had 0.2 UZR and a UZR/150 of 23.1. Not to mention he’s from Salem, Oregon and he’s a switch hitter.

  • Librarian

    Burke’s really a no-risk signing, but it would certainly appear to be a precursor to another move. I’d love to see Clement’s bat mature in Seattle, but the picture of how he fits with this team is getting a little fuzzier. If Moore is likely to be more a more balanced catcher, more adept at handling the pitching staff, than I’d like to see them trade Clement if they can get fair value. As you said navychief, this won’t be a repeat of the Varitek trade–because we wouldn’t be trading Clement for a veteran, we’d be trading him for another young piece who’s a better fit with this club.

  • http://bleedingblueandteal.com Jon Shields

    It’s easy to say that Burke is a “no-risk signing,” but he offers up no real reward, either. Unless a Rob Johnson deal is imminent, I don’t really see any reason to retain Burke. I like the guy, but what’s the point?

    They say they want to give Johnson more consistent playing time, but why? He’s a solid backup. That’s been his upside for a few years now. If the team is going to go with three catchers, Johnson should be the third. He is more versatile on a limited bench than Burke. Johnson can pinch run and can play a little bit of outfield.

    The bench role is pretty unimportant anyway, so it doesn’t really matter, but I’m just sayin…

  • http://myspace.com/tr1ckz pmbaseball7

    But remember Burke can pitch haha.