Mark Kotsay expected to be traded to Red Sox

Center fielder Mark Kotsay was a late scratch from the Braves’ lineup Tuesday as the Braves discussed a trade that would send him to the Boston Red Sox.

A person close to the situation said the deal was close to being finalized late Tuesday, but an announcement wasn’t expected until Wednesday.

“They’ve been talking all day, and they’re still talking,” Braves manager Bobby Cox said after the 10-9 come-from-behind win against Florida, in which Kotsay pinch-hit in the four-run ninth inning and drew an intentional walk.

“I’d have to say it’s my weirdest night as a professional in the big leagues,” said Kotsay, called to Cox’s office before the game and told he was scratched because a trade was being discussed and they didn’t want to risk injury.

“But I knew [being traded] was possible, so it wasn’t a complete shock, when they told me I was being scratched for precautionary reasons,” the veteran said.

Kotsay has hit .289 with six home runs and 37 RBIs in 88 games, including a 5-for-5 game Aug. 14 against Chicago when he became the second player in Atlanta Braves history to hit for the cycle — single, double, triple, home run.

The Red Sox have been looking for improved offense in their outfield, a pursuit that gained some urgency Tuesday after outfielder J.D. Drew went on the disabled list with a lower back strain.

Coincidentally, Kotsay spent five weeks on the DL this season for a bulging disk, after missing most of the 2007 season with Oakland following back surgery.

“As a player, you want the opportunity to win and get to the postseason,” said Kotsay, 32, who will be a free agent after this season. “If that’s the case, if I’m moved to a club that has postseason possibilities, I can’t be upset. Even though I’ve had fun here, and I’m completely happy with the organization.”

It wasn’t clear what the Red Sox would send to the Braves in the proposed trade, but it was expected to be low- or mid-level prospect.

The depleted Braves waved a figurative white flag on their season July 29 when they traded pending free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira to the Los Angeles Angels for Casey Kotchman, a lesser, and less expensive, replacement.

Kotsay was unlikely to be brought back by the Braves in the regular, starting role he believes he can and still wants to play.

The Braves traded reliever Joey Devine to the Athletics in January to get Kotsay to serve as a stopgap center fielder, a one-year bridge from Andruw Jones to prospect Jordan Schafer. They didn’t try to re-sign Jones last winter.

Schafer’s career took an unexpected detour in April when he was slapped with a 50-game suspension for human growth hormone. But he’s back playing well for Class AA Mississippi and still might be ready to play for Atlanta in 2009.

Kotsay cleared waivers after the July 31 no-waiver trade deadline. Boston and Philadelphia were among teams that subsequently called with trade interest.

Teams have until Aug. 31 to add players to their roster to make them eligible for postseason play. The Athletics are paying all but $2 million of Kotsay’s $7.35 million salary this season.