Kotchman to Seattle!

Our infield is now complete…at least for now.  Kotchman for Bill Hall, a minor leaguer to be named later and cash.  Not a bad deal.  Kotchman will be our starting first baseman once the season opens.  We are now going to have 2 ex-Angels running the corners in 2010.

Interesting that Beltre ended up in Boston, which actually makes this deal a lot easier for Boston. 

Kotchman was one of the great players that worked his way up rapidly through the Angels organization.  He had a lot of promise and potential, and is only 26 years old.  He does not have the power that Branyan supplied.  He will put the ball in play and provide some gold glove moments at first base. 

Here is all that Jack Z has done this offseason:

• Re-signed outfielder/designated hitter Ken Griffey Jr. on Nov. 11.

• Signed free-agent infielder Chone Figgins on Dec. 8.

• Signed free-agent outfielder Corey Patterson, re-signed free agent shortstop Josh Wilson and claimed pitcher Kanekoa Texeira from the Yankees' Trenton farm team in the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 10.

• Acquired left-handed pitcher Cliff Lee from the Phillies for right-handed pitcher J.C. Ramirez, right-handed pitcher Phillippe Aumont and outfielder Tyson Gillies on Dec. 16.

• Traded right-handed pitcher Carlos Silva to the Cubs for outfielder Milton Bradley and re-signed free-agent outfielder Ryan Langerhans on Dec. 18.

• Acquired right-handed reliever Brandon League from the Blue Jays, along with Minor League outfielder Johermyn Chavez, for right-handed pitcher Brandon Morrow on Dec. 23.

• Signed free-agent catcher Josh Bard and right-handed reliever Chad Cordero to Minor League contracts with invitations to Spring Training on Dec. 28.

WOW!