 |
| Kotchman last year with the Rays Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons |
"What? Why wouldn't you want an upgrade over Matt LaPorta, someone you have constantly hammered?"
Yes, yes, I know, I don't like Lappy.
But here's the thing—is Kotchman really an improvement?
First of all, we signed him for a 1-year, $3 million deal. For most teams, that's absolute chump change. For the Indians, it's a fairly significant investment. So let's take a look at what we're getting.
Kotchman is coming off of a year where he hit a 10 home runs and 48 RBI with a career best .306 average. Can't say those stats exactly set the world on fire...although none of the Indians hitters broke .300 on their final averages last year. What's even more "blah" to me is that he only had a total 36 extra base hits in 146 games! That's 10 home runs, 24 doubles and two triples.
What's more is that in 2010, Kotchman had a pretty awful season with the Mariners, batting just .217 with 9 HR, 51 RBI, and just 20 doubles in 125 games.
Honestly, Kotchman has never been much of power hitter—he's only hit a total of 96 extra base hits over the last three seasons, and average of 32 per year. This would would be fine, but he's a corner infielder. And our other hot corner is going to be manned by either youngin' Lonnie Chisenhall or the veteran Jack Hannahan—who, as much as I absolutely love his glove, is never going to be confused for an offensive specialist.
So what am I saying here?
Well, let's take a look at the numbers of Matt LaPorta. I have never been a LaPorta apologist, and I really think he should be replaced, but for comparisons sake, let's just look at the numbers, huh?
In what can be considered his second full season, Lappy played in 107 games, hit 11 home runs, drove in 53 runs, and had 23 doubles.
Wait a second, that's 34 extra base hits in just 107 games—not even counting his one fluke triple!
...see where I'm going with this?
I know LaPorta is not that good, strikes out way more than he should, has a biological clock clicking like a time bomb at age 27, and honestly has been a terrible disappointment from the CC Sabathia trade, but are we really improving that much with Kotchman?
I don't know that we are.
To be completely honest, I'd almost rather see the kid we just
But at least for now, it looks like we're going to be stuck with Kotchman.
Wow.
And since we're on the subject of free agents, correct me if I'm wrong, but I do believe that Kotchman is the only free agnet the Indians have been able to reel in on a major league deal. Yes, they've made a heck of a lot of depth moves, and that's fine with me. But...this is it, guys.
(Okay, aside from Grady Sizemore, but he was re-signed so that doesn't really count.)
However—and this is not something I was ever expecting to say—I really don't think this is the Dolan's fault.
Stay with me on this—the Indians have been reportedly interested in at least three big name free agents, and they've all said they're not interested. I'm talking about Roy Oswalt, Carlos Pena and Carlos Beltran.
According to the PD's Paul Hoynes, the Indians offered Pena a 1-year $8 million deal and got told no. They offered Beltran 2-years, $24 million and were told no from him as well. Oswalt told them no before they even got to the negotiating table.
It's not like GM Chris Antonetti isn't trying, it's just that guys don't want to come here. That's the sad reality.
Honestly, right now it looks like the only way the Indians could get a "big name" free agent to sign here is if they severely overpaid—and you know the Dolans aren't going to do that.
Do I want the Dolan's to sell the team because of that? I'm not sure. But I do know this—if the Indians can prove to the world that they can stand up to the Motor City Fat Cats (see what I did there?), they will probably have a much easier time singing free agents better than Casey freaking Kotchman next winter.
But hey, just over 60 days left till Opening Day. Can't say I'm not excited.
~MAS
No comments:
Post a Comment