Kotsay hired by A’s to replace Melvin as manager

Oakland A’s have moved to replace outgoing manager Bob Melvin with Mark Kotsay boosted from third base coach on a three-year contract after a carefully planned search.

Despite Kotsay having never previously managed at any level, he has been around the sport for over two decades, which included a 17-year career playing.

He has been in coaching since 2014 and joined the A’s two years later as a bench coach, before becoming a quality control coach in 2017 and most recently, third base coach.

 

A’s in Kotsay’s blood

Having played for the California state side for four seasons from 2004 through until 2007; being a first draft pick. Now the 46-year-old has come full circle, working his way up from a junior coaching role and embodies the fabric of the team.

Following an arduous recruitment process that saw the A’s interview in excess of half a dozen candidates Kotsay became the obvious choice. One certainty about the appointment, is that it does make sense; Kotsay is a favorite with fans as well as with the team, while he knows backroom staff.

Susan Slusser of the SF Chronicle was quoted: “I’m so happy to see Mark Kotsay get a chance to manage; it was clear during his playing days he was among the most astute observers of the game and universally respected. It will be fun to see what he does with what is likely to be young, rebuilding team.”

Meanwhile, current A’s Double A manager Bobby Crosby commented: “He’s not going to go in and be the hard, grizzled type of manager, I don’t see that. He’s going to be a guy that the players can go and talk to, that they can lean on.”

It will be interesting to see how the A’s perform next season, with Kotsay as coach and whether he changes the roster around, which could provide some clue as to players that he has built up a rapport with over the last couple of years.