Wladimir Balentien

[Big Pimpin]

After tonight's game The Mariner skipper said that Clement is going to catch tomorrow, and will play all over the field for the rest of the season. Meaning C/DH/1st.

Interesting. Could definitely be good for Joh to get some time off. That being said, all indications up until yesterday were that Clement wasn't ready to catch at the big league level. I surely hope he is, and if Joh starts hitting then heck he could be decent trade bait. However, if I had to choose Joh/Clement or Clement/Vidro I'd pick the former every single time. Unless of course we sign Bonds to play DH, then I can deal with Clement catching.

[Amazing Oopah]

from the lack of buzz and 30 odd page threads, I'm guessing Balentien isn't a must have player even in keeper formats?

[SpecialFNK]

i picked up Balentien. im 1st in AVG but low in HR so im hoping he can give me some power and im not that worried about him striking out alot and taking some 0-fors.
he has a ton of raw power.
in AAA this season in 17 games he was hitting .254 AVG/ .329 OBP/ .619 SLG/ .948 SLG/ 16 H/ 5 D/ 6 HR/ 20 RBI/ 11 R/ 1 SB/ 7 BB/ 11 K
last season in AAA he had 124 games- .291 AVG/ .362 OBP/ .509 SLG/ .871 OPS/ 139 H/ 24 D/ 24 HR/ 84 RBI/ 77 R/ 15 SB/ 54 BB/ 105 K

[gws226]

I don't think Clement is going to catch at all. For one, he's not ready. Second, if he was going to the backup catcher, they would have cut Burke loose as opposed to Norton. I think Clement is here to DH and that's it. I would not grab him expecting him to gain C eligibility any time soon. As far as Balentien, we'll see how it goes. He's really improved his pitch selection and plate discipline in the last couple years. His power is legit but I would not expect a great average. Safeco will also depress his numbers. He's absolutely a much better defender than any other corner outfielder the M's have so that's nice. A big upgrade over Wilkerson.

As per Rotoworld.com:

The Seattle Times reports that Kenji Johjima will sit out the next two games "as a mental break" while Jeff Clement starts at catcher.
Great news for Clement's fantasy value, which will rise significantly once he's eligible behind the plate. "Even if I do relax, I don't know how good of a performance I can come up with," Johjima said. "I can't be happy. Just because I'm taking two days off, that's not to say I'm going to do better on the third day. I can't allow myself to think that way."

Yahoo has Clement already listed w/ 9 games played at Catcher.... If rotoworld is correct he will be available @ C tomorrow.

[bigh0rt]

I don't think Clement is going to catch at all. For one, he's not ready. Second, if he was going to the backup catcher, they would have cut Burke loose as opposed to Norton. I think Clement is here to DH and that's it. I would not grab him expecting him to gain C eligibility any time soon. As far as Balentien, we'll see how it goes. He's really improved his pitch selection and plate discipline in the last couple years. His power is legit but I would not expect a great average. Safeco will also depress his numbers. He's absolutely a much better defender than any other corner outfielder the M's have so that's nice. A big upgrade over Wilkerson.

As per Rotoworld.com:

The Seattle Times reports that Kenji Johjima will sit out the next two games "as a mental break" while Jeff Clement starts at catcher.
Great news for Clement's fantasy value, which will rise significantly once he's eligible behind the plate. "Even if I do relax, I don't know how good of a performance I can come up with," Johjima said. "I can't be happy. Just because I'm taking two days off, that's not to say I'm going to do better on the third day. I can't allow myself to think that way."

Yahoo has Clement already listed w/ 9 games played at Catcher.... If rotoworld is correct he will be available @ C tomorrow.

That's 9 games left to play before earning C eligibility; not 9 games played.

[gws226]

Thats a bummer. Gotta read that fine print lol.

[Y`s Guy]

Wlad is definitely a raker. I am in a position where I need to take a flyer on him. My DH spot needs a boost and Alex G and Billy B are not exciting options in my H2H league.