Athletics manager Mark Kotsay has only been on the job a few months, but he’s already seen several pieces of the team’s core leave before he has even managed a major league game.
On Sunday, it was starting pitcher Sean Manaea, who was dealt to the San Diego Padres for two prospects. While the move was not particularly surprising considering the A’s signaled weeks ago they were in a rebuilding mode by trading away Chris Bassitt, Matt Olson and Matt Chapman in the span of a few days, the reality of losing arguably the team’s top starter will no doubt hurt for Kotsay and the players.
On the broadcast of the A’s-Padres spring training game Sunday -- which, coincidentally, featured Manaea starting for the Padres -- Kotsay was asked by A’s broadcaster Glen Kuiper how the morning went considering days like this aren’t easy.
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“It depends on what you call easy and what you call tough,” Kotsay said. “Obviously, losing Sean here, he’s the heart and soul of the staff the last few years, and his impact inside of that clubhouse will be felt but hey, these guys have been through this.”
Manaea ended his A’s career with a winning record in five straight seasons. Last year he was a workhorse, striking out a career-high 194 batters, and was also tied for the American League lead in starts.
The silver lining for the A’s with all the holes in the lineup and starting rotation is that playing time will open up for anyone to take advantage of. While Kotsay would likely have preferred to have Manaea and the other veterans to rely upon, the mentality he’s preaching to the club is “next man up.”
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“We’ve been through it this year so far, and our mentality is, ‘Hey, next man up,’” Kotsay said. “That’s kind of the message today: Next man up.”
Related: Manaea reminisces on 'proud' season, forming pitching brotherhood
Perhaps the two spots suddenly open in the starting rotation with the departures of Manaea and Bassitt will give a chance to the next budding homegrown star.
But first, A’s players and their fans had to painfully watch -- and perhaps try not to cry -- as Manaea took the mound against them on Sunday, and even said hello to his (now) former teammates.