Marlins sign Casey Kotchman to minor-league deal

Kotchman is coming off an awful year but was good in 2011. (US Presswire)

Free-agent first baseman Casey Kotchman has signed a minor-league deal with the Miami Marlins, the club announced Friday afternoon.

Kotchman, 29, was a major disappointment for the Indians last season, hitting .229/.280/.333 with 12 homers and 55 RBI in 500 plate appearances. He actually posted a negative 1.1 WAR, meaning, by that metric's measure, he actually cost the Indians 1.1 games in the standings just by being in the lineup instead of a replacement-level player.

If Kotchman got back to the level at which he played in 2011, though, this would be a bargain for Miami. He hit .306/.378/.422 for the Rays that season. Of course, in 2010, he more resembled the player he was in 2012, so it would appear the outlier here is 2011.

The Marlins won't be counting on Kotchman to start. Logan Morrison is slated to be the everyday first baseman.

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