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.
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.
Would you manage the A’s if they offered? I would. So would you. So will Mark Kotsay.
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.
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.
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
Oh cause California is so smart? Maybe you aren’t getting a new stadium but you are certainly paying taxes.
“….… their next manager won’t last long.”
LOL
Brilliant, jeremyn (and others).
Their last manager lasted 11 years.
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?
I guess he got the job because he cost the least … oh well, I bet a’s fans are happy … Both of them!
Most every manager is hired to be fired, with rare exception. Few get to walk away on their own terms.
Kotsay is very close with Billy Beane I said over a month ago he would be hired and his record won’t matter.
Why you asking me?
TWTW — That Mark Kotsay’s got it, dagummit.
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!
CSUF….ole school ….CSF Titan 4 Life!Great baseball mind,way over due promotion .Fingers crossed.We are all pulling for Mark.
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
This is taking a Long time. Is Oakland trying to get Kotsay to work for a free uniform
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
Espata and Quatraro are the real winners. Mets and A’s as a managerial debut.
I’m pulling for Espada to take over the Astros once Dusty retires
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.
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!
Kotsay has had past interviews for astros, red Sox, giants, tigers jobs. So teams must value him a bit as a candidate
I’ve kot to say that might not be a bad choice.
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
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.
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.
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.
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