Source: A's will name Mark Kotsay bench coach

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UPDATE (Thursday at 10am) -- The A's officially announced the hiring of Mark Kotsay as bench coach.

“I think every bench coach has to be an extension of the manager, and really the manager sets the tone," Kotsay said on a media conference call. "Hopefully I can share my experiences as a player and the importance of buying in, and how special a team can be when that group (pulls in the same direction)."

Mike Aldrete moves from bench coach to first base and outfield coach in 2016, replacing Tye Waller. The remainder of the coaching staff remains the same with Curt Young as pitching coach, Darren Bush as hitting coach, Ron Washington as third base coach, Scott Emerson as bullpen coach and Marcus Jensen as assistant hitting and catching coach.

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The A's will welcome Mark Kotsay back into the fold as their bench coach, a source confirmed to CSNCalifornia.com.

The news was first reported by Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Kotsay, who spent last season as the San Diego Padres' hitting coach, interviewed with Oakland earlier this week. He played center field for the A's from 2004-07 and retired from his playing career following the 2013 season.

With the 39-year-old Kotsay aboard, Mike Aldrete, who served as bench coach last season, is expected to slide over to the first-base coach role, which has been vacant since Tye Waller was fired last month. He served in the same capacity under manager Bob Melvin when Melvin skippered Seattle in 2004.

Kotsay was one of the A's inspirational leaders during his four-year playing stint with them. His inside-the-park homer that helped the A's win the 2006 AL Division Series against Minnesota is one of the most electrifying moments in recent team history.

The A's value Kotsay's all-around knowledge of the game, and stepping into a bench coach role at such a young age could pave the way to a managerial career if that's the direction Kotsay chooses.

He also was known as a good clubhouse guy during his career, and that's a bonus for an A's team that experienced some chemistry issues last season.  

Oakland A's media services contributed to this story

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