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Latest On Athletics’ Manager Search

By Sean Bavazzano | December 11, 2021 at 4:20pm CDT

TODAY: Espada’s interview has taken place, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports (Twitter link).

DECEMBER 6: In addition to the recently-documented Matt Quatraro, The Athletic’s Britt Ghiroli verified five other managerial candidates for the vacant Oakland skipper position. Included in the current group of candidates are a number of names already within the Oakland organization— third base coach Mark Kotsay, bullpen coach Marcus Jensen, and hitting coach Darren Bush. Rounding out the group are Boston bench coach Will Venable and Houston bench coach Joe Espada. Half of the group (Quatraro, Kotsay, and Venable) has already interviewed, with the remaining half expected to interview soon.

After 11 seasons of .528 ball under Bob Melvin, it makes sense for Oakland brass to look to Melvin’s cohorts for a successor. Kotsay is likely the most familiar name among the internal candidates, as he is a 17-year veteran and played for seven different teams during his lengthy career. Dating back to 2014 Kotsay has assumed a number of Major League roles, accumulating the titles of hitting coach, bench coach, quality control coach, and third base coach. Kotsay is light on managerial experience but is no stranger to the managerial rumor mill, being linked to recent searches conducted by Houston, Boston, and Detroit.

A former catcher, Jensen was no stranger to the big leagues either, appearing in 7 Major League seasons for as many teams. Jensen has been in the Oakland organization since 2007, serving as a hitting coach and manager for several of Oakland’s minor league affiliates. He’s served as an A’s coach at the game’s highest level since 2014.

Bush is a baseball veteran as well, though has seen a notable chunk of his playing and coaching days come on the indie ball circuit. Since joining Oakland’s minor league ranks as a coach in 2004, Bush has accrued a good deal of managerial experience at the lower levels. His consistent success as a minor league manager led to a Major League promotion, where Bush has served as a bullpen or hitting coach since 2013.

Like Kotsay, Espada has been a fixture in managerial candidate discussions for years. The Houston coach and former second-rounder has seen his fair share of success over the past four years, recently piquing the interest of the Giants, Rangers, and Cubs.

Venable is a veteran of 9 Major League seasons, including an impressive 20-20 campaign in 2013 for the Padres. Since his retirement, Venable has worked in advisory and coaching positions for the Chicago Cubs. Venable hopped over to the Red Sox organization in 2020 and served as the bench coach for this year’s resurgent Boston club. Like others on this list, Venable has turned heads as a potential manager for years, drawing interviews for recent Houston and San Francisco vacancies.

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Oakland Athletics Darren Bush Joe Espada Marcus Jensen Mark Kotsay Matt Quatraro Will Venable

AL Notes: Astros, Blue Jays, Orioles
Main
AL Central Notes: Moncada, Gausman, Tigers, Arias, Guardians
View Comments (69)
Post a Comment

69 Comments

  1. Please, Hammer. Don't hurt 'em.

    4 years ago

    It’s going to be Mark Kotsay. You can take that to the bank. I’m just surprised the A’s haven’t announced it yet.

    3
    Reply
    • zacharydmanprin

      4 years ago

      Kotsay isn’t manager material.

      3
      Reply
      • Fever Pitch Guy

        4 years ago

        Terry Steinbach!!! Get it done, Billy.

        2
        Reply
      • Appalachian_Outlaw

        4 years ago

        @Zach- You say that about Kotsay because…?

        1
        Reply
        • zacharydmanprin

          4 years ago

          Based on his numerous interviews and not being hired, based on his track record of positions held and not showing marked improvement, his performance as 3B coach this season getting 5 runners thrown out in a 3 game series should have been enough to get him fired.

          1
          Reply
        • expos_back_by_2025

          4 years ago

          Just an fyi, 3B coach is more about passing along the signals from the dugout that sending/stopping runners at 3rd

          Reply
        • zacharydmanprin

          4 years ago

          And Christmas is not just about presents and Halloween is not about candy.

          Reply
    • MLB Top 100 Commenter

      4 years ago

      Sorry, you cannot successfully use the words “A’s” and “bank” in the same sentence.

      28
      Reply
      • steveletts

        4 years ago

        But you just did it too!

        1
        Reply
      • tstats

        4 years ago

        They didn’t

        2
        Reply
      • Please, Hammer. Don't hurt 'em.

        4 years ago

        Lol, Manny. So true. My mistake.

        1
        Reply
  2. Not a clever name

    4 years ago

    Phillip Wellman is the clear choice.

    1
    Reply
  3. nichols1105

    4 years ago

    I believe in Stephen Vogt

    7
    Reply
    • tstats

      4 years ago

      He has my Vogt

      9
      Reply
    • tiredolddude

      4 years ago

      And Father Christmas.

      Reply
    • crazybaseballgal

      4 years ago

      I love Vogt & he is well liked by the players. Being a catcher helps, too

      Reply
    • zacharydmanprin

      4 years ago

      Vogt would be better in the broadcast booth…then, again, anyone is better than Dallas Braden.

      Reply
  4. em650r

    4 years ago

    Carney Lansford

    1
    Reply
    • zacharydmanprin

      4 years ago

      Lansford is an inept fool.

      Reply
      • deweybelongsinthehall

        4 years ago

        Was a great player. Loved his short stint in Boston.

        Reply
        • ShootyBabbit

          4 years ago

          agreed, but in Cali

          1
          Reply
        • Fever Pitch Guy

          4 years ago

          dewey – Are you aware at one time the Red Sox had three current reigning batting champions on their 25-man roster, and all of them were 3B.

          It’s one of my favorite bits of Sox trivia.

          2
          Reply
    • Fever Pitch Guy

      4 years ago

      em65or – Lansford is ineligible because one of his legs is shorter than the other. LOL

      1
      Reply
    • lady1959

      4 years ago

      Bring back Billy Martin ⚾️

      Reply
  5. statman

    4 years ago

    It’s going to be whoever agrees to the lowest salary.

    9
    Reply
  6. Buzz Saw

    4 years ago

    Billy Martin

    Reply
    • Rsox

      4 years ago

      Bubba Smith!

      Reply
      • deweybelongsinthehall

        4 years ago

        Art Howe 2.0.

        Reply
    • Joe says...

      4 years ago

      Sal Bando

      2
      Reply
    • Yankee-4-Lifer 75

      4 years ago

      @Buzz Saw- he’s already managing the Angels.

      1
      Reply
      • User 2079935927

        4 years ago

        Huh?

        Reply
  7. Highest IQ

    4 years ago

    I think Terrible Collins I mean Terry Collins will get it.

    Reply
    • ralph1933

      4 years ago

      isnt he like 115 years old?

      Reply
  8. eHarley

    4 years ago

    I’m afraid it will be back to the future, a Bob Geren/Ken Macha clone.

    Reply
  9. BuhnerBuzzCut

    4 years ago

    I’ll take the job for California minimum wage (that should get A’s managements attention)

    3
    Reply
    • DogDays2

      4 years ago

      Not bad… what’s that about $100per hour these days?!

      Reply
    • Appalachian_Outlaw

      4 years ago

      How would you feel about an unpaid internship for just like 10-15 seasons?

      4
      Reply
  10. tbone0816

    4 years ago

    I’m surprised Eric Chavez isn’t mentioned!!

    5
    Reply
  11. Yankee-4-Lifer 75

    4 years ago

    @tboneo816- When you think of Oakland, you always think of Eric Chavez. Yes, he’s probably the perfect guy for the job. I know the Yankees wanted to hire him long ago to coach, they still do.

    2
    Reply
  12. Duffy S. Cliff

    4 years ago

    Maybe not necessarily this opening, but Espada has to get one of these jobs eventually. I feel like he’s interviewed in so many places.

    1
    Reply
    • thickiedon

      4 years ago

      Hopefully, take over when Dusty retires

      Reply
      • Justanotherstrosfan

        4 years ago

        I hope that this is true. I feel like they extended Baker for 1 more year because we went to the WS under him. I really hope that this is just another year of grooming under Baker for Espada to take over next year. I feel like Crane had to go with someone outside the club that had a steady hand and good reputation after what happened. I think Espada wants the Astros job over all the others and MIGHT be willing to wait 1 more year to get it. He is talked up by all the players and also focused on the analytics of the game as well. It’s not a matter of if, it’s just a matter of when and where he manages.

        Reply
    • User 2079935927

      4 years ago

      Maybe he doesn’t do well in the interview process.

      1
      Reply
  13. sorrynotsorry

    4 years ago

    Not even considering Ron Washington is a sign they aren’t even trying anymore.

    4
    Reply
    • thickiedon

      4 years ago

      You think Washington would even want it?

      2
      Reply
  14. socraticgadfly

    4 years ago

    Any word on any teams, A’s, Mets, others with openings, interviewing Shildt?

    Reply
    • DarkSide830

      4 years ago

      one wonders if he’s just taking a year off at this point.

      Reply
  15. yail43

    4 years ago

    Bring back Ricky Henderson instead of Piscotty

    Reply
    • Fever Pitch Guy

      4 years ago

      Steve Finley: “You have tenure, sit wherever you want.”

      Rickey: “Ten year? Rickey’s been playing at least 16!”

      3
      Reply
  16. geoffb1982

    4 years ago

    The POS owner makes it impossible for the two most qualified people, Shildt and Washington, to even be considered. What a disgrace to sports John Fisher is

    2
    Reply
    • James1955

      4 years ago

      When the A’s move to Las Vegas, the Owner will have more money to spend and he will be a great Owner.

      2
      Reply
  17. Yep it is

    4 years ago

    This just in. Anyone who ever played in Oakland is now under consideration for the Mgr job

    Reply
    • Cosmo2

      4 years ago

      Not Dave Kingman, that’s for sure

      Reply
      • LordD99

        4 years ago

        Cosmo, true, but Dave Kingman Manager would be something we all should want…unless you’re a journalist.

        Reply
        • Cosmo2

          4 years ago

          Heh

          1
          Reply
  18. jessaumodesto

    4 years ago

    Anyone who knows Kotsay’s relationship with Beane would know he’s the new manager

    Reply
  19. nentwigs

    4 years ago

    Is he the one they call “Lamborghini” ESPADA ??

    Reply
  20. LordD99

    4 years ago

    This is an Important search to watch because whomever they select will soon be regarded as a must-have candidate to try and steal from the A’s in the future after he wins multiple Manager of the Year awards.

    Reply
    • ralph1933

      4 years ago

      this

      Reply
  21. Sunday Lasagna

    4 years ago

    The A’s were relieved when Kotsay did not get the Tigers manager job he interviewed for in 2020. Bench Coach, Special Front Office Assistant, 3B Coach, seems to be praised no matter the role. Kotsay = A’s Manager in 2022. But why did they have to cut the Walloper on March 28th? No internet back then, no cell phones, much tougher to find work especially right at the end of spring training. The guy might be in the hall of fame right now!

    Reply
  22. Texas T

    4 years ago

    Espada has earned the opportunity.

    Reply
  23. Texas T

    4 years ago

    Espada has earned the opportunity.

    Reply
  24. Bigtimeyankeefan

    4 years ago

    Espada gets the job

    Reply
  25. bobtillman

    4 years ago

    Not only that, but Espada has earned the opportunity.

    1
    Reply
  26. bobtillman

    4 years ago

    Bobby Valentine, in the unlikely event he doesn’t get the Mets job.

    1
    Reply
    • Fever Pitch Guy

      4 years ago

      bob – Not a chance. No team will hire him as manager after the 2012 debacle, plus he’s perfectly happy as AD at Sacred Heart and owner of his restaurants.

      1
      Reply
  27. Mitchell Page

    4 years ago

    I would like to go with Espada , but he would have to be into the bigger picture of the strip down . No Olson , Chapman , Manaea , Bassitt , or Montas . Also the long haul of the move to Las Vegas into temporary stadium onwards to new Billions Stadium . Viva Las Vegas .

    Reply
  28. User 2079935927

    4 years ago

    Would you A’s fans want Washington as your manager?

    Reply
  29. CrikesAlready

    4 years ago

    Venable is one smart dude. Big time front office material.

    Reply

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