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Taro's picture

Interesting arguments all around.
His BABIP actually isn't unlucky considering the extremely low 17.6 career LD%, career 12.6 IFFB% and high GB% combined with slow foot speed. I'd have to calculate his xBABIP, but for now hes right around where he should be career-wise (probably even a bit high).
His foot speed is an issue. He has a career speed score of 2.7 vs league average of a little over 5. Hes scored as a -7 run baserunner consistently thoughout his career according to BP. His runs scored percentage at 26% is much lower than the league average of 31%. In terms of runs scored, he scores 72 Runs per 691 PAs vs league average rate of 86 runs scored.  
Also, the majority of his career production is actually to left field (career 23% LD rate to left field) so Safeco is more likely to hurt than aid. Safeco doesn't aid HRs to right, its just far easier than on HRs to left and center.  Over the past 3 years Safeco has actually depressed HRs from lefties by about 5%. Safeco isn't going to aid Kotchman's career 15.7 LD% or 64.4 GB% to right field. 
The impact of a productive out is really, REALLY small. Kotchman creates 7.5 more productive outs over average over 691 PAs which comes out to a whopping 0.33 runs.
Basically the impact of his productive outs altogether aren't even worth a single GIDP (over a regular out) in run value over a full season.

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