The Oakland A’s have filled their vacancy on their coaching staff, with former outfielder Mark Kotsay taking over as their third base coach.
Over the years, the Oakland A’s have had a lot of continuity in both the front office and in the coaching staff. Manager Bob Melvin has been a mainstay on the bench, and while coaches may come and go, his staff has been relatively settled.
This offseason, there has been one change, as Al Pedrique will not return as the A’s third base coach. Mark Kotsay will be taking over the role for 2021.
Mark Kotsay will move from quality control coach to third base coach on Manager Bob Melvin’s coaching staff for the 2021 season. The rest of the coaching staff remains the same. #RootedInOakland pic.twitter.com/32iG7hFtG8
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) December 3, 2020
Kotsay has been around the coaching block since his playing career came to an end in 2013. He went from the Padres’ outfield to becoming their hitting coach in 2014. After that year as part of the coaching staff, he headed back to Oakland.
More from White Cleat Beat
- Zach Logue yet another disappointing Oakland A’s trade return
- Luis Barrera heading to familiar foe in Los Angeles Angels
- Looking back at Ruben Sierra with the Oakland A’s
- San Francisco Giants showing Oakland A’s offseason could be worse
- Lucas Luetge what Oakland A’s need in bullpen
He had been a part of the A’s outfield from 2004 through 2007 when he was traded to the Braves. In that time, he had produced a solid .282/.336/.410 batting line with 38 homers and 115 doubles. He was Oakland’s primary center fielder in that time, showing above average range although he was not a favorite of the defensive metrics.
Since returning to the A’s as a coach, Kotsay has served in several capacities. He had been the A’s bench coach, but was later reassigned to their quality control coach. Now he will take over for Pedrique, garnering more experience in coaching as he works through different areas.
This could all be part of the A’s plan to find an eventual successor for Melvin. The A’s manager is 59 years old at this point, and has been on Oakland’s bench for a decade. While there is no sign that he is slowing down, Kotsay has been considered one of the bright young managerial prospects in the game. The A’s may look for a way to keep him around, which could include naming him as Melvin’s eventual successor.
The Oakland A’s have named Mark Kotsay as their new third base coach. This may not be his final stop in their coaching tree.