"The arrival of Casey Kotchman as the Indians' new first baseman probably means the departure of Matt LaPorta, their old first baseman. LaPorta has a minor-league option left and will probably open the season at Class AAA Columbus after Kotchman's one-year, $3 million deal was officially announced Friday.

While Kotchman and LaPorta appear headed in different directions, they share a bond. Kotchman opened last season at Class AAA Durham (N.C.) after signing a minor-league deal with Tampa Bay. He was coming off a terrible season in Seattle, but fortune was on his side.

Dr. Thomas Tooma performed a series of procedures on his eyes to cure an infection in the tear ducts so he could clearly see the baseball again. Soon after the start of the season, Manny Ramirez retired because of a positive test for a banned substance and first baseman Dan Johnson was in a bad slump. The Rays needed a hitter and called Kotchman.

He responded with his best year in the big leagues.

"It was fun to play with good vision," Kotchman said.

LaPorta has been the Indians' first basemen for two years. Cleveland acquired him in 2008 from Milwaukee as the prime piece in the CC Sabathia trade. "