Wahoo's on First

Casey Kotchman is Great Fit for Indians

Lewie Pollis — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:21:29 +0000

I'm assuming Kotchman was about this excited to sign with the Indians. (Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE)

After months of speculation, the inevitable finally happened this week: the Cleveland Indians agreed to sign free agent first baseman Casey Kotchman.

Kotchman might not be a particularly exciting acquisition—after the $214 million Prince Fielder just got from the Tigers, the Indians spending $3 million on a first baseman doesn’t seem like that big of a deal. Especially since he plays a premium offensive position and his primary source of value is usually his glove.

But in spite of his low profile Kotchman, who turns 29 this month, is exactly what the Indians needed, and this was a great move for the Tribe. … [visit site to read more]

Indians to Sign Casey Kotchman: Well It’s About Time

Lewie Pollis — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:55:57 +0000

Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

To the surprise of absolutely no one, the Cleveland Indians have agreed to sign free agent first baseman Casey Kotchman, according to CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman. It’s a one-year deal worth $3 million plus incentives, the Plain Dealer‘s Paul Hoynes says.

The Indians have been connected to Kotchman all winter. As a solid-fielding veteran first baseman who was coming off a strong offensive season and wouldn’t command a big salary, he’s seemed like a natural fit to challenge Matt LaPorta and Shelley Duncan for the Tribe’s first base job in 2012. … [visit site to read more]

Cleveland Indians 2012 Top Prospects: The Honorable Mentions

Geordy Boveroux — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:38:55 +0000

Over the next month or so I will be releasing my top prospects list for the Cleveland Indians in the 2012 season. Rather than releasing the entire list all at once, the picks for my Top 15 will be announced one at a time here on Wahoo’s on First with a full profile for each player.

I don’t consider myself a scout. In the interest of full disclosure, I have never seen any of these players play with my own eyes. I simply judge each prospect based on my own interpretation of their statistics and various other scouting reports from official services.

Today, we kick off the series with the honorable mentions. Narrowing the list down to 15 names wasn’t easy. These five players just missed the cut.

Ronny Rodriguez, SS

Such low placement for Rodriguez might come as a shock. He was ranked as high as the third-best prospect in Cleveland’s farm system by Kevin Goldstein, yet I left him off my Top 15 completely. … [visit site to read more]