Headlines

  • Orioles To Sign Craig Kimbrel
  • Yankees, Padres Nearing Juan Soto Deal
  • Eduardo Rodriguez Narrows Decision To Two Teams
  • Report: Ohtani Decision “Expected” By Sunday
  • Astros, Victor Caratini Agree To Two-Year Deal
  • Pirates Acquire Marco Gonzales
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2024
    • 2023-24 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2023-24 Top 50 Free Agents With Predictions
    • Free Agent Prediction Contest Leaderboard
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Arbitration Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Athletics “Closing In” On Mark Kotsay As Manager?

By Mark Polishuk | December 18, 2021 at 9:44pm CDT

Now that the Mets have hired Buck Showalter, the Athletics are the last team still looking for a new manager, but Oakland’s search may also be nearing an end.  According to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, the team is “closing in on a managerial hire,” and the Athletics’ “focus appears to be on Mark Kotsay” as Bob Melvin’s successor.

Kotsay has been a member of Oakland’s staff for the last six seasons, working as the third base coach in 2021 after previously working as a quality control coach and bench coach.  He is one of three internal candidates known to be under consideration for the managerial vacancy, along with hitting coach Darren Bush and bullpen coach Marcus Jensen.  From outside the organization, the A’s had interest in Astros bench coach Joe Espada, Rays bench coach Matt Quatraro, and Red Sox bench coach Will Venable (Espada and Quatraro were also finalists for the Mets job).

When Melvin left the A’s to become the Padres’ new manager, speculation immediately arose that Kotsay was a contender and perhaps even a favorite to become the Athletics’ new skipper.  Kotsay has previously been a managerial candidate for the Tigers, Giants, Pirates, Red Sox, and Astros over the last two-plus years, and he even received some consideration as the Padres’ interim manager back in 2015, after Bud Black was fired and when Kotsay was working as San Diego’s hitting coach.

Kotsay is probably best remembered by fans for his 17 seasons as a player with seven different teams from 1997-2013, including a stint with the A’s for four of those seasons.  While not quite as recently retired as some of the other players-turned-managers hired in recent years, Kotsay is still only 46 years old, and not all that far removed from his playing days.  He also brings some front office experience, as Kotsay worked as a special assistant with the Padres in 2014.

If the A’s did indeed hire Kotsay, it would provide some continuity for a roster that might look quite different come Opening Day.  The A’s are known to be open to trading several of their top players due to escalating arbitration costs, and while this doesn’t necessarily mean Oakland will embark on a fire sale or even abandon the hope of contending in 2022, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Billy Beane and company swing several deals once the lockout is over.  Depending on when exactly the lockout ends, this could lead to something of a frenzied situation in the Athletics’ Spring Training camp, which would only add to the challenge for a first-time skipper.  Neither Kotsay or any of the other five known candidates have ever managed at the MLB level.

Share 0 Retweet 16 Send via email0

Oakland Athletics Mark Kotsay

MLBTR Chat Transcript
Main
Freddy Galvis Agrees To Two-Year Deal With NPB’s Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
View Comments (29)

Comments

  1. jeremyn

    2 years ago

    As a Marlins fan I love Mark Kotsay (face of our franchise for about 3 years in the dark times)… That being said.. RUN MARK… RUN! Whoever takes that job is set up for failure…. they are an organization that has openly admitted they care more about money than winning right now… their next manager won’t last long.

    2
    Reply
    • BashBroJoe

      2 years ago

      Would you manage the A’s if they offered? I would. So would you. So will Mark Kotsay.

      12
      Reply
      • Please, Hammer. Don't hurt 'em.

        2 years ago

        Hmmm. I think some genius commenter said the A’s were going to hire Kotsay weeks ago. I believe he actually used the phrase, “you can take that to the bank.” What was that guy’s name again? Whoever he is he must have some inside info.

        1
        Reply
      • jeremyn

        2 years ago

        I’m not someone hoping for a future in baseball.. 99.9999% of earth would say yes.. Kotsay is in that .00001% that has enough options not to be forced into failure.

        Reply
    • Asfan0780

      2 years ago

      Funny to hear that from a Marlins fan, who’s situation isn’t any much different. Although at least your previous owner at least swindled the local government an taxpayers to get a new stadium. Not so easy to do in California

      12
      Reply
      • dpsmith22

        2 years ago

        Oh cause California is so smart? Maybe you aren’t getting a new stadium but you are certainly paying taxes.

        Reply
    • Samuel

      2 years ago

      “….… their next manager won’t last long.”

      LOL

      Brilliant, jeremyn (and others).

      Their last manager lasted 11 years.

      10
      Reply
      • jeremyn

        2 years ago

        Their last manager was fired because they didn’t want to pay him anymore. Have you ever heard of a team ever saying that before?

        Reply
    • statman

      2 years ago

      I guess he got the job because he cost the least … oh well, I bet a’s fans are happy … Both of them!

      2
      Reply
    • stymeedone

      2 years ago

      Most every manager is hired to be fired, with rare exception. Few get to walk away on their own terms.

      3
      Reply
    • jessaumodesto

      2 years ago

      Kotsay is very close with Billy Beane I said over a month ago he would be hired and his record won’t matter.

      Reply
  2. Thomar

    2 years ago

    Why you asking me?

    2
    Reply
  3. gooddumps

    2 years ago

    TWTW — That Mark Kotsay’s got it, dagummit.

    Reply
  4. MannyBeingMVP

    2 years ago

    I don’t completely count the A’s out, but it sure looks like being in a fight with one hand tied behind your back. Good luck, Mark!

    2
    Reply
  5. lumber and lighting

    2 years ago

    CSUF….ole school ….CSF Titan 4 Life!Great baseball mind,way over due promotion .Fingers crossed.We are all pulling for Mark.

    1
    Reply
  6. Rsox

    2 years ago

    I figured Kotsay would be the guy after they let Melvin go to San Diego. Maybe he can still play some RF while he’s at it

    Reply
  7. BuhnerBuzzCut

    2 years ago

    This is taking a Long time. Is Oakland trying to get Kotsay to work for a free uniform

    1
    Reply
  8. VegasSDfan

    2 years ago

    I thought Venable would make a good manager. Since the organization and team already knows Kotsay.. it makes sense. Watch the As play well again in 22

    2
    Reply
  9. GarryHarris

    2 years ago

    Espata and Quatraro are the real winners. Mets and A’s as a managerial debut.

    2
    Reply
    • thickiedon

      2 years ago

      I’m pulling for Espada to take over the Astros once Dusty retires

      1
      Reply
      • steven st croix

        2 years ago

        Yes. I know he wants to be a manager, but Melvin was special and Oakland is a dump. He should just take over for Dusty after they win the series next year.

        1
        Reply
  10. Backup Catcher to the Backup Catcher

    2 years ago

    Glad Kotsay is getting a shot to manage. Not the best landing spot because the A’s don’t figure to be a whole lot better than a .500 team. But there are only 30 of these jobs available, so when you’ve never managed a MLB team before and you get offered one, you take it!

    Ya gotta start somewhere. And who knows? Maybe Kotsay gets the A’s to over achieve this year and MLB GMs remember that when they go looking for a manager down the road. Do a good job managing in Oakland and one day you might find yourself making $8 million a year in the Bronx!

    Reply
  11. Asfan0780

    2 years ago

    Kotsay has had past interviews for astros, red Sox, giants, tigers jobs. So teams must value him a bit as a candidate

    1
    Reply
  12. Cora the Explora

    2 years ago

    I’ve kot to say that might not be a bad choice.

    Reply
  13. thickiedon

    2 years ago

    Was there bad blood between Ron Washington and the A’s organization? Seems like he’d have been a good fit and at least deserved consideration for their managerial position

    Reply
  14. dpsmith22

    2 years ago

    Buck is a good manager with veterans. However his use of prospects and younger players is suspect. Overall I think he did a good job for the O’s during our short run.

    Reply
  15. shibbynotdude

    2 years ago

    Kotsay a similar hustle player as Counsell. Craig may be one of the best manager in Baseball right now. A’s looking for that same magic.

    1
    Reply
  16. zacharydmanprin

    2 years ago

    Bob Geren was close with Billy Beane; he was the best man at Beane’s 2nd wedding (before Geren was hired as A’s manager). Look how well that played out.

    Reply
    • Rsox

      2 years ago

      Geren never finished better than 2nd place as A’s Manager and had 0 playoff appearances. Friendship can only go so far. Hiring Kotsay because he is close with Billy and saying his record matter may be true in the first season as Kotsay acclimates to being a ML Manager but end results will still matter long term

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Orioles To Sign Craig Kimbrel

    Yankees, Padres Nearing Juan Soto Deal

    Eduardo Rodriguez Narrows Decision To Two Teams

    Report: Ohtani Decision “Expected” By Sunday

    Astros, Victor Caratini Agree To Two-Year Deal

    Pirates Acquire Marco Gonzales

    Yankees Acquire Alex Verdugo

    Support Our Winter Meetings Coverage With An Ad-Free Subscription

    White Sox, Erick Fedde Agree To Two-Year Contract

    Jed Hoyer Denies Cubs Are Out On Shohei Ohtani

    Guardians Win Draft Lottery

    Rangers, Kirby Yates Agree To One-Year Deal

    Roberts: Dodgers Met With Shohei Ohtani Recently

    Report: Cubs’ Optimism On Landing Ohtani “Has Waned”

    Blue Jays “Believed” To Have Met With Ohtani On Monday

    White Sox, Mets Reportedly Finalists For Erick Fedde

    Astros GM: No Interest In Trading Alex Bregman

    Tigers Sign A.J. Hinch To Long-Term Extension

    Mozeliak: Cardinals Listening To Offers On Tyler O’Neill

    Brewers Re-Sign Wade Miley

    Recent

    Orioles To Sign Craig Kimbrel

    Blue Jays, Reds Among Teams Showing Interest In Michael A. Taylor

    Yankees, Padres Nearing Juan Soto Deal

    Nationals, Juan Yepez Agree To Minor League Deal

    Eduardo Rodriguez Narrows Decision To Two Teams

    Mets Sign Michael Tonkin

    Latest On Dylan Cease

    2023 Rule 5 Draft Results

    Mets Owner Steve Cohen Recently Met With Yoshinobu Yamamoto In Japan

    Astros Acquire Dylan Coleman From Royals

    ad: 300x250_5_side_mlb

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Shohei Ohtani Rumors
    • Yoshinobu Yamamoto Rumors
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • 2023-24 Offseason Outlook Series
    • 2024 Arbitration Salary Projections
    • 2023-24 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2023-24 Top 50 Free Agents List With Predictions
    • Free Agent Prediction Contest Leaderboard
    • MLB Player Chats
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version