Before Tuesday night’s game, Casey Kotchman did what he always does. He went into the clubhouse, put on his Angels uniform, and went out for warmups and stretching. The next time he went into the dugout, he was an Atlanta Brave…

The Angels made a big trade today that could possibly effect the outcome of the season. Braves starting first baseman Mark Teixiera has been swapped for Kotchman and a prospect reliever from the Angels franchise. He will start in tomorrow’s game finale with the Sox in that same spot where just yesterday, Casey played his best. With hardly a trade rumor, Kotchman has been shipped off to Atlanta and switch hitting Teixiera has been dropped off.

Teixiera is mostly known for his run with Texas. He spent over four years there, racking up a name for himself. He’s currently hitting .283 with 20 homeruns and 78 RBIs, more than anyone else on the Angels team. Scioscia is hoping he will be the big bat essential for going deep into the postseason in 2008.