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Oakland A’s: Change coming to coaching staff for 2021

By David Hill

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 08: Ramon Laureano #22 of the Oakland Athletics is congratulated by third base coach Al Pedrique #41 after hitting a three run home run against the Houston Astros during the second inning in Game Four of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 08, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 08: Ramon Laureano #22 of the Oakland Athletics is congratulated by third base coach Al Pedrique #41 after hitting a three run home run against the Houston Astros during the second inning in Game Four of the American League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 08, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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There will be at least one change on the Oakland A’s coaching staff as third base coach Al Pedrique is being let go.

If there is one thing that the Oakland A’s value, it is continuity. That extends from the front office on down to the coaching staff, with Bob Melvin currently the longest tenured manager in the majors. There may be some turnover amongst the coaches, but for the A’s, it is not a constant conveyer belt of new faces.

However, there will be some change for 2021. Third base coach Al Pedrique is being let go, with the A’s looking to give someone else in the organization a chance.

The 60 year old has spent decades coaching, but has only had one chance at a manager’s job. That came in 2004, when he was the interim manager for the Diamondbacks, a team that finished with the worst record in baseball by seven games. Pedrique was 22-61 in his time as a manager, but it is hard to blame him for the record, given the Diamondbacks overall lack of talent.

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He has, however, spent over 25 years as a coach in both the minors and majors. He had also been a special assistant to the Astros front office from 2007 through 2009, spending a lifetime in baseball. His tenure with the A’s will conclude after three years, the first two of which saw him as the first base coach.

In a way, this decision is a surprise. The A’s defense was solid, finishing fourth in the American League with a .987 fielding percentage. It is also not Pedrique’s fault that the A’s had so few runners to wave in, given their reliance upon the home run this season.

It would not be a surprise to see Pedrique return to a coaching staff in the majors next season. He is well respected around the game, and with a lifetime in baseball, has an impressive amount of experience. A rebuilding team that is looking for someone to help teach their young major leaguers the proper way should be interested in his services.

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Al Pedrique may well be on a coaching staff in 2021. It just will not be with the Oakland A’s.