Report: A's hiring Kotsay as new manager to replace Melvin originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
Bob Melvin's wish has come true.
The Athletics are promoting from within and are naming third base coach Mark Kotsay as their new manager, MLB insider Jon Heyman reported Monday, citing sources.
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Melvin always hoped that his replacement as A's manager, upon taking the same position for the San Diego Padres, would come from his former staff. With Kotsay running the show in Oakland, the A's did just that.
Kotsay, 46, never has managed at any level. Following a 17-year playing career, Kotsay joined the Padres' front office in 2014 as a special assistant. Later that year, he was named their new hitting coach. Ahead of the 2016 season, Kotsay joined the A's staff as a bench coach. He transitioned into a quality control coach in 2017 and served as Oakland's third base before being named as the franchise's newest manager.
The Southern California native and former first-round draft pick played four seasons for the A's from 2004 through 2007. He hit .282 with 38 home runs and had a .747 OPS for Oakland. Kotsay even finished 14th in AL MVP with the A's in 2004 when he hit .314 with 15 home runs and an .829 OPS.
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Kotsay hit .276 with a .737 OPS for his career in the big leagues.
Melvin managed the A's for the last 11 seasons. Kotsay is the A's 20th manager since moving to Oakland in 1968.
