Johjima Opts to Go Home Foregoing the Big Money

Espn.com reported today that Kenji Johjima has decided to opt out of the last two years of his contract with the Mariners in order to return to Japan while he can still play at a high level.  In doing so, he is walking away from more than $16 million his contract with the Mariners would have paid him in 2010 and 2011.

Since no one in Japan currently makes more than about $6 million per year, the decision will definitely cost Johjima money.  Aside from going home, the biggest up-side in returning to Japan is that Johjima will be able to play every day (barring injuries).  With the M’s, he lost playing time to rookie Rob Johnson, a 25 year old rookie in 2009.  That trend was likely to continue, given their relative ages (Johjima will turn 34 next June).

There’s something refreshing about seeing a player walk away from big money to play somewhere he’ll be happier.  If he stays healthy, I expect that Johjima will have a big year in Japan in 2010, just as Tad Iguchi did this year for the Chiba Lotte Marines after four years in the U.S.   Johjima has, of course, already been a star player in Japan, and playing in the higher quality MLB can only have made him a better player overall.