Mariners acquire Casey Kotchman

The Mariners have acquired first baseman Casey Kotchman from the Red Sox in exchange for third baseman Bill Hall, according to ESPN.com. 

Kotchman is expected to be the teams full time first baseman, putting an end to the Russell Branyan rumors in Seattle.

Kotchman, who split 2009 with the Red Sox and the Atlanta Braves, hit .268 with seven home runs and 48 RBIs. He batted .282 in 87 games with the Red Sox, with whom he hit six of his seven homers.

With the Mariners out of the race for Branyan, it looks like the Mets, Braves, or Marlins could look to sign him at a bargain rate.