Oakland A’s manager Mark Kotsay in file photo was hired as the new manager of the club on Mon Dec 20, 2021 replacing former A’s manager Bob Melvin (AP News file photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s have decided on Mark Kotsay 46 to manage the A’s. Kotsay was the A’s third base coach and was the A’s bench coach. Kotsay replaces former A’s manager Bob Melvin who is now managing the San Diego Padres.

Kotsay who played on seven different big league clubs including the A’s was an outfielder hitting a career 127 home runs, 720 RBIs, and hit for .276. The A’s have been a money ball team getting close or getting to the post season but not close enough to get to the World Series in various seasons under Melvin on a small payroll budget.

Last season under Melvin the A’s were just short of making the post season. Melvin managed the 2021 A’s to a record of ten games over .500 at 86-76 behind the first place Houston Astros. There was talk about the A’s hiring former third base coach and former Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington who is now third base coach of the World Champion Atlanta Braves. Washington wasn’t considered and Kotsay was mentioned as the heavy favorite for the job soon after Melvin left the club.

The A’s were mentioned as preparing to not sign a large number of their key players from last season which would change the face and success of the club. The A’s moved outfielder Mark Canha and Starling Marte to the New York Mets and some thought that would be the beginning of the unloading of the team but since the departure of Canha and Marte no significant moves have not been made.

Jerry Feitelberg is an Oakland A’s beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com