Casey Kotchman

by bpoe13 on Jan 4, 2007 2:30 PM EST

I understand that we have a whole bunch of options going into next year at first but what about Kotchman? With the signing of Hillenbrand, I would assume that he is available. Out of all of the options we have, I would not mind going into next year with him at 1st. Not sure who we could move to get him but just an idea.

Poe

This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.

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Re: Casey Kotchman

Kotchman will probably be a throw in if the Angels make a move, they didn't like him missing a month because of mono.

He's got the potential to be a decent if not very good 1B but as far as our current crop I'm not sure the Rays should considering getting another 1B or 3B until we ship a few out.

Basically I can't say for sure he'd be better than the 7 options we have at 1B.

Welcome to DRB, by the way.

by R.J. Anderson on Jan 4, 2007 3:19 PM EST reply actions

Re: Casey Kotchman

Would I mind getting Kotchman? No, but I wouldn't actively seek to acquire him, and he certainly should not be the centerpiece of any Rocco trade. As you said, we have plenty of other options.

Oh, BTW, bpoe has been at DRB for a long time, he even predates me.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Jan 4, 2007 3:34 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Casey Kotchman

Yikes, I'm sorry bpoe.

by R.J. Anderson on Jan 4, 2007 4:31 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Casey Kotchman

No worries R.J. but thanks for the love Patrick.

I have always thought Kotchman would grow into an above average 1st basemen and with the hometown connection think he might fit in with the rest of the youngsters. Over the years we have really shuffled through a bunch of defensive specialist 1st basemen with no offensive upside. I never thought I would miss the crime dog so much. I for one just want a damn young kid who has the upside to hit 30 dingers one day.

We have so many question marks in the infield it makes my head hurt.

So I guess as long as we don't try a Pinella move like bringing in a senior citizen Alomor to block Cantu then I will be happy.

I wish to hell we would have traded the rangers for Chris Young and Adrian Gonzalez.

By the way is our 1st base situation really,

(Bankston, Cantu, Gomes, Wigginton, Dukes, Norton, Guzman)

My far out scenario and the guy I think with the most upside currently on our team without a position is Upton. I say we just put him there and let him learn on the job.

Poe

by bpoe13 on Jan 5, 2007 10:31 AM EST reply actions

Re: Casey Kotchman

Well, I don't think that a rebound for him is out of the question, but when you are dealing a guy like Rocco, a guy who was considered the cornerstone of the organization, who had an outstanding year last season, I believe that you have to look for more than just Kotchman, a guy whose major league success at this point has been pretty much non-existant. Again, I am not disputing the chance that he rebounds, but I want more of a sure thing. And we already have a crowded first base and infield situation as it is. I think we have a few guys on our roster with 30+ homer potential. Cantu hit 28 in '05, Gomes certainly has the capability, Dukes and Young have 30+ homer power as well, so I think that there are certainly a few players who can give you 30+ home runs in a given year, potentially.

I agree that our infield is fluid and full of questions right now, but the fact that we have more personnel than spots is a good problem to have, and certainly gives us some trade possibilities, which you see with the rumors surrounding Cantu and Upton. IMO, B.J. is too athletic to play first. I understand that he has defensive issues at the other infield position, but first base is not the answer, at least IMO. At the worst, you have to put him in center field, which of course leaves Rocco positon-less. Going into ST, I think you have to give him one more shot at SS, if that fails early, 3B. Find one positon for him to play on the left side of the infield, stick him there for the duration, and let him play. Upton has had far too much turmoil and disturbance in his minor league career, he needs to be left alone and given a shot without being moved around, or demoted to Durham. Give him that shot, and leave him there for a good period of time, even if he struggles. That is the only thing you can do.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Jan 5, 2007 12:31 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Casey Kotchman

I agree, give BJ another shot at shortstop. But if he can't overcome his issues, why can't we move him to 2nd?

Demon Deacons

by jquigley on Jan 5, 2007 2:51 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Casey Kotchman

Because, his problems on the left side of the infield have more to do with his throws, or rather overthrows. So why would you move him to second and make him learn fielding the ball from an entirely different angle, and move him even closer to first base, which he has been overthrowing? I am personally just not a fan of doing that.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on Jan 5, 2007 3:25 PM EST up reply actions