"The Indians didn't get their run-producer or their right-handed batter, but General Manager Chris Antonetti still thinks he got his man.

That would be free-agent first baseman Casey Kotchman, who officially became a Tribe signee Friday morning.

"We feel like we brought in a guy who complements our group very well," Antonetti said.

He elaborated by pointing out that Kotchman registered a high on-base percentage last year (.378) and is an adept contact hitter, who averaged just one strikeout every 7.6 at-bats.

"As important, if not more important, Casey is an exceptional first baseman" Antonetti said. "He is very good at picking balls out of the dirt, which will save errors for our infielders."

Kotchman made only two errors in 135 starts at first for the Tampa Bay Rays last year and pointed out to Antonetti exactly the kind of defender the Tribe is getting.

"He mentioned to me that he has made fewer errors in his [eight-year] career [11] than our first basemen made last season [12]," Antonetti said."