Mariners near Kotchman deal with Sox!

Trade with Boston would send first baseman to Seattle.

BOSTON -- With Adrian Beltre soon to become an official member of the Red Sox, there is no longer the need to move Kevin Youkilis to third and start Casey Kotchman at first base. And that is why Kotchman, a source confirmed to MLB.com, is "close" to being traded by Boston to the Seattle Mariners.

Kotchman, a left-handed hitter known for his slick glove, will likely become Seattle's starting first baseman.

According to WEEI.com, the Red Sox will receive "a Minor League player to be named, a Major League role player and cash." Multiple outlets have reported that utilityman Bill Hall is the Major Leaguer that would go to Boston in the trade.

There are still details to be worked out. ESPN.com was the first to report that Kotchman will be headed to Seattle.

In a sense, Kotchman and Beltre are trading places. The Mariners no longer had much of a need for Beltre after signing free-agent third baseman Chone Figgins earlier this offseason. But Kotchman should come in handy on the other side of the diamond.

Kotchman, who turns 27 on Feb. 22, is arbitration eligible after making $2.885 million in 2009. The addition of Hall further cements the theory that the Red Sox will move veteran third baseman Mike Lowell, who would be a $12 million backup in Boston.

The Red Sox got Kotchman on July 31, 2009, in a trade with the Braves for Adam LaRoche. Kotchman was traded from the Angels to the Braves the previous July as part of the Mark Teixeira blockbuster.

Kotchman 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. A line-drive hitter who makes frequent contact, Kotchman has yet to hit for much power.