Kenji Johjima did the Mariners a huge favor last week by simply walking away from the final two years and $16 million on his contract, but it turns out that he had more money waiting for him back in Japan.

Prior to signing with the Mariners in 2006 he spent a decade starring for the Softbank Hawks and Johjima talked to his former team about returning before ultimately agreeing to a four-year, $21 million deal with the Hanshin Tigers.

Everything worked out well for Johjima, who trades a backup role and $16 million in Seattle for a starting job and $21 million in Japan, but the Mariners are even bigger winners by clearing his salary off the books. For now prospect Adam Moore is penciled in as their starting catcher, but he'll get competition from either Rob Johnson or a veteran acquired this offseason.