One would imagine that, after a year that saw the Oakland A’s finish with a 60-102 record, there could be some changes to the coaching staff. That may not actually be the case.
According to Jessica Kleinschmidt, the A’s are satisfied with their coaching staff heading into next year. General manager David Forst is planning to ask all of the coaches to return for 2023 as their staff could be the one area of continuity on the diamond.
Oakland A’s keeping the band together in one aspect
The cards were stacked against the A’s coaching staff from the beginning. Key pieces of their lineup and pitching staff were traded while any free agents were just allowed to depart. The coaches were tasked with attempting to cobble together a viable roster with a cadre of Quad-A players and prospects.
That quest to find viable options led to 64 players appearing in at least one game this season. And yet, out of that chaos, the A’s were able to find some pieces. They managed to build a solid core to their bullpen and find pieces for the rotation moving forward. That was about as much as the A’s could have hoped for.
There were also signs of progress. Sean Murphy changed his approach at the plate and turned into a star in the second half. Paul Blackburn became an All Star before injuries ruined his final numbers. Cole Irvin became a viable middle of the rotation arm. Even if those players are traded elsewhere, that is exactly what the A’s needed.
Progress is going to be the expectation next season as well. The A’s are not going to contend in 2023 unless there are enough miracles to have Mark Kotsay canonized once he has passed. But if the A’s can continue to make progress and find more options for their long term plans next year, then the coaches will have done their jobs.
The Oakland A’s are planning on keeping their coaching staff together for next year. Despite their record, the coaches did their job in 2022.