Kotchman heads to Seattle for physical!

Last hurdle for Red Sox first baseman to become a Mariner.


An on-the-table trade between the Mariners and Red Sox involving Casey Kotchman moved closer to fruition on Wednesday, when the first baseman traveled to Seattle from Tampa for a prerequisite physical exam.

The Mariners reportedly will swap veteran utility player Bill Hall, a Minor League player to be named and cash to the Red Sox for the slick-fielding 26-year-old Kotchman.

Mariners club officials refused to comment.

The deal is expected to be finalized on Friday, pending the outcome of physicals on Kotchman and former Mariners third baseman Adrian Beltre, the free agent who is scheduled to have a physical in Boston on Thursday.

The Red Sox reportedly have reached agreement with Beltre on a one-year contract, but have not finalized the deal. When that happens, it would clear the way for Kotchman to become the Mariners starting first baseman.

With Beltre on board, the Red Sox would put him at third base, keep Kevin Youkilis at first and ship Kotchman across country -- which is fine with him, according to his father, Tom Kotchman.

"I know he's very happy with the opportunity to get back to playing every day," the senior Kotchman said from his home in Southern California. "There is some familiarity there. Don Wakamatsu was with the Angels in 2001 and '02, so he knows Casey, and Ty Van Burkleo also was a coach with the Angels.

"They know his strengths and weaknesses. They know who he is, they know what he does."

Kotchman also is looking forward to being reunited with Chone Figgins, longtime teammates in the Angels organization. They currently live about 30 minutes apart in the Tampa area.

Kotchman, a left-handed batter, hit .268 with seven homers and 48 RBIs in 126 games in 2009. He has played in 520 games, hitting .269 with 40 homers and 233 RBIs.

Defense is his forte and he has a reputation as one of the best fielders in the game at his position -- and the stats to back it up.

The first-round Draft choice of the Angels in 2000, Kotchman has committed just eight errors in 3,853 career chances, a .998 fielding percentage.

Kotchman, who turns 27 on Feb. 22, is arbitration eligible after making $2.885 million in 2009.

"It's a long way from Tampa to Seattle, about as far away from Tampa that you can get," Tom Kotchman said, "but one thing I know is he's very, very happy where he's going."

The Minor League player to be named apparently will be determined during Spring Training, after the Red Sox have had an opportunity to watch a list of players the Mariners have made available.