Casey Kotchman

d his season around and looked great in the closer role for the Mets.  Until last night.  Casey Kotchman, who was 6-9 in the series despite his .219 batting average since joining the Braves in the Mark Teixiera trade, and pinch hitter Kelly Johnson, the resident Met-killer, led off the ninth with back-to-back singles off Ayala.  Then Greg Norton stepped up to the plate as a pinch hitter, and belted a line drive over the right field fence on the eighth pitch of the at-bat.  The home run gave the Braves a 5-4 lead, and the blown save was Ayala's second, and the 27th of the season for the Mets' bullpen.  The two runs Atlanta tacked on against Pedro Feliciano were just gravy, as the Mets came up empty in the bottom of the ninth against Mike Gonzalez.  Meanwhile, the Phillies swept a double header from the Brewers to pull within a game of the Mets (two in the loss column) for the lead in the NL East.

Continue reading "Ayala Joins The Blown Save Party"

e League

    The Angels traded for Mark Teixeira last night, dealing first baseman Casey Kotchman and minor league pitcher Stephen Marek to Atlanta.  Teixeira's outstanding defense is a mild upgrade over Kotchman, but he adds a powerful bat to a lineup that desperately needs a home run threat to protect Vladimir Guerrerro.  The only cause for concern is Teixeira's streakiness, but if he plays well for the remainder of the season and into the playoffs, the Angels could contend for the American League pennant.  Teixeira is a Scott Boras client, so he'll be looking for a mountain of cash in the off-season.  If the Angels do not sign him, they could be wishing they still had Kotchman, who is relatively light-hitting for a first baseman, but does not cost much.

Continue reading "Heilman Holds Perez's Lead, Delgado Puts it Away"

ncluding Baseball Digest Daily, Mark Teixeira is headed to the Angels, in exchange for middling 1B Casey Kotchman and minor-league pitcher Stephen Marek, with perhaps others thrown into the mix.

Continue reading "Tex is an Angel"

On the other hand, if Casey Kotchman and Howie Kendrick (who will both be 25 this season) can develop into the hitters they are expected to be, and Juan Rivera can return to the form he showed before missing nearly all of last season due to an injury, the Angels offense instantly boasts more pop than they demonstrated last year.

Continue reading "MLB 2008 Season Preview: American League West"