Mariners eye Kotchman

The Seattle Mariners are expected to acquire first baseman Casey Kotchman from the Boston Red Sox in return for at least one minor leaguer, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.

If the trade is completed as planned, Kotchman would be penciled in as the Mariners' starting first baseman.

While Boston would part with a backup infielder if the trade goes through, the team is still looking for ways to part with third baseman Mike Lowell and move forward with Adrian Beltre at third base and Kevin Youkilis at first. The Red Sox have reached an agreement with Beltre, who must pass a physical for his one-year, $10 million contract to become official. Beltre is expected in Boston by the end of this week, most likely on Thursday, to take that physical, according to an industry source.

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. The Red Sox obtained Kotchman last season in a trade that sent Adam LaRoche to Atlanta.

He is a career .269 hitter in six seasons with the Red Sox, Braves and Los Angeles Angels.