The Athletics announced yesterday that former outfielder Mark Kotsay, who most recently served as the Padres’ hitting coach, has been hired as the new bench coach in Oakland. (The San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser first reported that Kotsay would be hired.) “I think every bench coach is an extension of the manager, and the manager sets the tone,” said Kotsay of the hiring (via MLB.com’s Jane Lee). “From my standpoint as a bench coach, hopefully I can share my experiences as a player and get across to them the importance of buying in and how special teams can be when the group really believes in that.” Kotsay spoke fondly of the organization, which is no surprise considering the fact that he spent four of his prime-aged seasons with the A’s, reaching the postseason in 2006. Kotsay batted .282/.336/.410 in his four years with the A’s and .276/.332/.404 across parts of 17 Major League seasons.
Some more notes from the AL West…
- While the Athletics know there is uncertainty around the health of Coco Crisp’s neck, GM David Forst told MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart that he still doesn’t expect to seek much in the way of outfield help this winter. Forst spoke highly of Josh Reddick, Billy Burns, Mark Canha and Jake Smolinski as alternative options that are under club control for the 2016 season. Rather, Forst and the A’s front office are trying to determine the best way to add a starting pitcher to the mix in 2016, be it through trade or via free agency. Forst told McTaggart that he laid some groundwork with a number of other clubs and with some agents, though it’s too early to tell whether any of those talks will ultimately lead to a transaction.
- The Rangers are in the market for a starting pitcher, a right-handed bat and a bullpen arm, McTaggart writes in a second column, and GM Jon Daniels said that the club’s current focus is more on trades than on free agency. McTaggart also spoke to Daniels about the possibility of pursuing a catcher, though Daniels didn’t make it sound like a priority, expressing confidence that Robinson Chirinos is capable of catching 110+ games in 2016 if the Rangers head into the season with him as their starter. The 31-year-old Chirinos very quietly delivered a respectable .232/.325/.438 batting line in 273 plate appearances this past season.
- Marlins southpaw Mike Dunn would be a reasonable trade option in the Astros’ search for left-handed relief help, writes the Houston Chronicle’s Evan Drellich. Dunn will earn $3.45MM in 2016 — his final year of club control before free agency. Dunn’s average of 95 mph on his fastball would fit GM Jeff Luhnow’s previously stated goal of adding velocity to his bullpen, and Dunn has shown the ability to retire both left- and right-handed batters over the years. Dunn does come with some control problems, and the Marlins have been reluctant to trade him in the past. Still, he does make sense as a lefty relief trade target for clubs seeking such commodities. Luhnow wouldn’t comment on Dunn when asked by Drellich, stating only that he’s checked in with all teams this offseason.
- In a second column, Drellich examines the Astros’ front-office structure in the wake of David Stearns’ departure. Stearns, who was hired as the Brewers’ GM, handled most of the club’s arbitration negotiations and was also in touch with agents regarding contract negotiations. In his absence, director of pro scouting Kevin Goldstein has stepped up to begin talking with some agents regarding free agency, while some of the arbitration duties are falling to director of baseball ops Brandon Taubman, director of business development Samir Mayur and player development assistant Armando Velasco, per Drellich.
- Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto called the decision to re-sign Franklin Gutierrez a “no-brainer,” writes MLB.com’s Cash Kruth. “We love his makeup, we love what he brings to our clubhouse, and just generally to the balance of the team,” said Dipoto of Gutierrez. Dipoto says that Gutierrez will likely platoon in left field with Seth Smith next season, which should create a formidable offensive duo. Smith batted .255/.343/.458 against righties in 2015 and has a lifetime .274/.356/.478 line when holding the platoon advantage. Gutierrez checked in at .317/.357/.615 against southpaws last season and has a career .291/.346/.491 line against them.
God I’m scared of the Mariners. They want it this season
That’s what everyone said a year ago and look what happened.
Until they announce the signing of Price or Greinke, they are going to be also-rans.
If only price would accept a 6 year 40 mill
They got hit hard with an injury to Iwakuma, forcing Walker and Paxton to be the their 2/3 when they were best suited to be the 3/4 since (for the most part) it was their first real year as a starter at the major league level. Also didn’t help that Cano was slumping all year up until the final two months and that Rodney couldn’t record a save if his life depended on it. The reason there was so much hype was because the team got better on paper without losing too much. The main reason they were so bad was because the bullpen was absolutely terrible.
Interesting how the A’s call Canha an OF – wonder if they will look into obtaining a 1B this offseason.
The A’s are adding starting pitching not trading starting pitching. No more Sonny Gray wishes from other teams. Kazmir, Happ, and Colon are the type of pitchers the A’s will be adding veterans that will not have long contracts.
No way, the A’s have no pitching and holds all over the field. The last veteran pitcher they added was Lester and samardjia all via trade and they are no where near being relevant in the AL west to be doing that anytime soon. And the last veteran beane added was crisp, that isn’t working out well with your highest paid player never ok the field. If you don’t deal your top arms then you aren’t doing anything but watching the rest of your division from the basement all offseason and all next yr.
You have not watched the A’s for some time to say that. First Beane has said he will be looking at adding a starter to help the young staff. Second the A’s have a good young staff in Gray, Graveman. Nolin, Hahn. Chavez, and Bassit. they also have players at every position that are solid. Crisp was added a long time ago. Beane will strengthen the bullpen with free agents. The A’s biggest hole is the bullpen. if you watched them last year you would know their bullpen was the worst in baseball. Starting pitcher is not a problem but adding some depth with a inning eater in case of more injuries.
Logically, Bartolo back to Oakland is pretty much a foregone conclusion – he’s absolutely perfect for them in every way. Kazmir seems too iffy, he falls apart in the 2nd half every year now. Happ would be interesting, as would Rich Hill – if you’re looking on the lower tier guys. Bartolo is the perfect mix of being a pretty good innings eater and a veteran, hilarious, beloved guy in the clubhouse.
Kotsay is good at using the San Diego Padre Organization as a stepping stone. When he does not have anything better brewing in his career[both playing and post playing career], he comes back to San Diego, uses them while waiting for something better.