This is this week's Score Atlanta cover story. For the record, this was Kotchman's first interview since arriving in Atlanta. That's right. Fletcher got first crack at the newest Brave. Before the Radio stations, before the newspapers (though the papers have since gotten him on a news call). Just saying, I am a STUD.
In 1987, the Atlanta Braves sent veteran pitcher Doyle Alexander to Detroit in exchange for a 20 year old pitcher that would go on to ring up 210 victories, 154 saves and 3011 strikeouts for the Braves over the next 21 season. At the time the trade seemed to favor the Tigers, but looking back we can say perhaps the Braves got the better end. Has lightning struck twice in Atlanta? Last week, the Braves sent first baseman Mark Teixeira to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in exchange for Class AA-pitcher Stephen Marek and 25 year-old first baseman Casey Kotchman. When Teixeira was dealt, several Braves went on record saying it was like losing “a brother,” but the team has seemed to welcome in its newest player. “It’s been a warm welcome honestly, and I’m looking forward to contributing,” said Kotchman of how he was fitting in.
Though he had been starting for a team destined for the playoffs with a huge chance of taking home its second World Series title this decade, Kotchman now bats third for a team whose playoff chances are slim. “I try to see the positive in any situation and to try and do anything other than that is not good. To leave my teammates [in LA], we were all real close, but you come here and you meet new ones and you look forward to the future,” said Kotchman about his new situation. Kotchman was leading the Angels with 107 hits at the time of the trade and his 12 home runs this season were a career high. He also had 54 RBI for the Angels and the Braves might remember two of those, in the form of a two-run home run against Atlanta earlier this season. Kotchman will also bring a vacuum-like glove to the right side of the infield and possibly even be an improvement over Teixeira’s fine defense. For his career the Braves new first baseman has a .997 fielding percentage and he has just five errors in the past 300 games at the position.
It would be unfair to ask Casey Kotchman to replace Mark Teixeira on the Braves roster. True they both play first base, but while Tex was a constant threat to go deep and play a fine first base, Kotchman is more of an on-base guy with a higher average and a better glove on defense. Though Kotchman is just a lefty at the plate, he hits for a higher average against lefty pitchers and he can crush the ball off right-handers. The Braves front office and Bobby Cox don’t expect the power numbers of a Teixeira from Kotchman; they just expect him to be Casey. Said Kotchman of his role with Atlanta, “I think it’s the same as with any team. You’re showing up and you’re ready to play and you’re trying to win.”
When Kotchman heard of the trade, he was in Boston, so a cross-country flight wasn’t necessary, and the newest Brave was excited to be playing close to where he grew up. Kotchman is originally from Florida and says that he watched Braves games on TV as a kid. He has played with the Angels organization every since he was drafted No. 13 overall in 2001, but this change to Atlanta has him excited. “I just try to get the most out of the present time and have no regrets in the future and just try to make the most out of each day,” said Kotchman and expectations could begin to swirl as soon as next season. Kotchman is under contract through 2011 and with his affordable salary, the team might begin to rebuild and reload as early as this off-season, with Kotchman a central building block to the franchise. At only 25 years old, he certainly could have a long run in Atlanta and Frank Wren was excited to acquire him. “He's going to be a real key piece for our club as we move forward,” Wren said recently, and you get the feeling the Kotchman’s no-nonsense approach will help this club. Kotchman seems focused at all times and took extra fielding and batting practice last week, as he tries to bring a winning mentality from Anaheim to Atlanta. “I have heard it is a great city, a great town with great fans and everything. I just look forward to getting settled in.”
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