The idea that Mark Kotsay would be the Oakland A’s manager in 2022 would have seemed bizarre just three months ago. Bob Melvin‘s option for the upcoming year had been picked up, and even if he were to step down, Ryan Christenson was expected to be his eventual heir. Instead, both Melvin and Christenson headed to San Diego, leaving the A’s with an unexpected managerial search.
It did not take long for Mark Kotsay to emerge as the favorite for the position. While the team interviewed six candidates, including three from outside the organization, it seemed to be his to lose. Those suppositions were proven correct on Monday when Kotsay was named as the A’s new manager.
A’s hire Mark Kotsay as manager
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 20, 2021
Oakland A’s make right move with Mark Kotsay
In the end, Kotsay was the only choice the A’s could make. They are an organization that values consistency in the front office and on the bench, something that he can help provide. Kotsay is a familiar face and voice for a team that may undergo a great deal of change this offseason.
He is also intimately familiar with the A’s system. Kotsay spent four years as an outfielder with Oakland during his playing career before heading into coaching. He has spent the past six years in various roles with the A’s coaching staff, learning from Melvin as he was viewed as a future manager.
While that managerial role was expected to be elsewhere, he is the perfect person for the A’s. If the team does undergo their expected rebuild, he can help guide those younger players in what it means to be a part of the organization. If the veterans remain on the roster, then Kotsay will be someone that can help guide those veterans toward a postseason push.
The Oakland A’s needed to find the right person to take over as manager. They did exactly that by hiring Mark Kotsay to take over.