POTD Casey Kotchman, part 2
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Q. There must be some silver lining here.
A. Kotchman was 26 last year. Nick Johnson had a lifetime OPS+ not much over 100, when he sort of jelled, posted a soft 130+ OPS in small AB's at ages 26 and 27.
It's not unpossible that Kotchman could "figure out" MLB pitching and decide to get under a few balls, maybe lower his grounder rate to 9000:1 or something.
I imagine this would be Capt Jack's reasoning -- that Kotchman is about to jell, as it were, the way that Johnson kind of did at 26. If that isn't the reasoning, then I have no idea what the reasoning would be. They'd have to explain it to you.
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Q. What are the chances that Kotchman will leap a plateau?
A. Objectively? 10, 20%. Subjectively? Zero.
I've been following, and arguing about, Casey Kotchman for five or six years. I used to argue him with Inside Pitch allllll the time, back when Kotchman was an overrated PCL'er that all the Angels fans loved.
Kotchman is technically beautiful. He's a pleasure to watch on the field. He's a super-professional. He's got a swing that is as fun to watch as John Olerud's.
And because of those things, nobody has ever noticed that he's an entitled, hyped failure.
He cheats to get out in front of fastballs, looks awful on any kind of ML offspeed pitch, and when he does get a FB he two-bounces it to second.
Ecccchhhhhh. Instantly my least-fave Mariner player of this decade.
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Q. Dr's Diagnosis?
A. The M's just brought in an very weak MLB(TM) Honda Civic, a "credentialed" 100 OPS hitter with a good glove, to patch a hole at 1B.
They could have done a lot of things rather than ossify 1B with an MLB(TM) mediocrity.
They coulda re-signed Branyan. They coulda played Carp -- or Tui, via 2B/Lopez/1B. You coulda been investing time in Jeff Clement, and his light-tower LH bat in Safeco, at first base. They coulda gone after LaRoche, or a bunch of guys.
There was no need to cover-your-backside with such desperation. Growf.
What's that scene in Grinch? Adam A. Aardvark ... I LOATHE you. Andrew Anderson ... I DETEST you entirely. :- ) The Kotchman type of move is the one that drives me batty. The MLB(TM) CYB Special.
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Q. Lopez to 1B, maybe?
A. NOW we know why they were talking Lopez to 1B. They never wanted Branyan's health questions back, and they don't like what they see in Mike Carp.
You musta been some kinda desperate at 1B, dude.
Okay. When are Raben or Poythress ready? Can Saunders play 1B? Maybe Ackley can do an Erstad thing there? I can't wait until this 1B carousels around to whoever's next.
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Q. C'mon, baseball is for fun. Throw us a bone, at least.
A. Consider for a moment, the laser-focus on 2010 that this move speaks to. (Granted, of course, that Casey Kotchman's age-27 year will give you a bit more than Mike Carp's rookie year.)
This goes way past "focused on this year" to... not panicked, not shrill, but whatever word is past "obsessed."
I'm all for GM's who realize the importance of THIS year. From 2003-2008, cyber-Seattle constantly strategized to win the pennant in year +5. Zduriencik's focus on these next 162 games is breathtaking.
I loathe Casey Kotchman the ballplayer, but I can't say I'm unhappy to have a GM who realizes that this year's pennant is worth as much as the one in 2014.
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Q. Under what circumstances do you like this acquisition?
A. Under the circumstance that Kotchman is here to keep Adrian Gonzalez' locker warm.
Bah humbug,
Dr D