The Indians didn’t get their run-producer or their right-handed batter, but General Manager Chris Antonetti still thinks he got his man.
That would be free-agent first baseman Casey Kotchman, who officially became a Tribe signee Friday morning.
“We feel like we brought in a guy who complements our group very well,” Antonetti said.
He elaborated by pointing out that Kotchman registered a high on-base percentage last year (.378) and is an adept contact hitter, who averaged just one strikeout every 7.6 at-bats.
“As important, if not more important, Casey is an exceptional first baseman” Antonetti said. “He is very good at picking balls out of the dirt, which will save errors for our infielders.”
Kotchman made only two errors in 135 starts at first for the Tampa Bay Rays last year and pointed out to Antonetti exactly the kind of defender the Tribe is getting.
“He mentioned to me that he has made fewer errors in his [eight-year] career [11] than our first basemen made last season [12],” Antonetti said.
What made Kotchman research that statistic?
“My pops came up with that one,” he said. “And my agent, Casey Close, tried to come up with something that would be make me a good fit for a team.”
Kotchman committed only two errors in 2011, fewest in the American League for everyday first basemen.
Antonetti wasn’t happy with the Indians’ defense at first base, because it made life more difficult for a starting staff that pitches to contact and specializes in inducing ground balls.
“It certainly wasn’t the best last year,” Antonetti said. “I’d have to say it was below average.”
Defense usually is considered a secondary skill for first basemen, who are hired mostly to hit for power and drive in runs. That’s what Matt LaPorta was supposed to do after coming to the Indians as part of the CC Sabathia trade with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2008. However, in more than two seasons in the big leagues, his offense has yet to blossom consistently.
So what will happen to LaPorta now?
“We said earlier that he will come to spring training to compete for a job, and that still is the case,” Antonetti said. “But now there will be one less job for him to compete for.”
Unfortunately for LaPorta, that job is at first base. He can also play the outfield, but he is not a candidate to displace an everyday outfielder. Those positions belong to Grady Sizemore, Shin-Soo Choo and Micheal Brantley.
LaPorta apparently can still earn a spot on the bench. Maybe more likely, he will be sent to Triple-A, inasmuch as he has a minor-league option left.
Kotchman will give the Indians seven everyday players who bat from the left side, plus two switch hitters. This kind of left-leaning lineup would be a distinct handicap against left-handed pitching, but Antonetti thinks the Tribe can make adjustments.
“When [regular catcher] Carlos Santana slides over to play first, most of the time it will be against a left-hander,” Antonetti said.
The switch-hitting Santana played first part time last year, leaving the catching to right-hander Lou Marson, an excellent defender who seems to be making some advances at the plate.
Another winter acquisition, minor-leaguer Russ Canzler, and Shelley Duncan also can tilt the Tribe’s left-handedness the other way as fill-in first basemen.
Antonetti said he tried to sign Kotchman to a minor-league contract last year but lost the battle to the Rays.
Kotchman’s .306 average in 2011 was a career high (he also had 10 home runs and 48 RBI). The previous season, his batting average fell to .217. His career average is .268.
“After the 2010 season, he had Lasik [eye] surgery,” Antonetti said. “In his mind, it helped him see the ball better. But he also developed as a hitter.”
Kotchman’s eye problems coincided with his decline at the plate.
“I experienced some dry eye and inflammation in 2010,” he said. “A gland below my eyelid was causing blurred vision.”
The malady was treated successfully and in time for the 2011 season. Did flawed eyesight affect his workmanship at the plate?
“Absolutely,” Kotchman said. “It was a big contributing factor. I wasn’t able to see and got into bad habits. Even last season I was still trying to correct the bad habits.”
Manager Manny Acta will decide where Kotchman bats in the lineup.
“We don’t expect him to hit in the middle of the lineup,” Antonetti said, “probably in the bottom third, but I’ll leave that up to Manny.”
Kotchman isn’t picky about where he hits in the order.
“Wherever,” he said. “It makes no difference to me. I would just rather not hit 10th.”
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Indians blog at http://www.ohio.com/tribematters. Follow the Indians on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ABJ_Indians. Follow Beacon Journal sports on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/sports.abj.
