Mark

Kotsay

Bullpen coach Dan Hubbs will have the job on an interim basis for the rest of the year. Emerson had been the Athletics’ pitching coach since June 2017 and had been part of the organization since 2002, so this is a big change for them. The team is currently 29th in the majors, ahead of only the Rockies, in allowing 5.50 runs per game, but then, that’s probably what should have been expected given the personnel.

That’s quite a show of faith in a guy who is 179-307 through three seasons. Of course, Kotsay hasn’t had much to do with that record, and the A’s players all seem fond of him. It’s just hard to say how good of a manager he is when he’s had so little to work with.

The decision guarantees that Kotsay won’t enter the 2024 campaign as a potential lame duck. The 47-year-old former big leaguer has gone 110-214 (.314) over the last two seasons at the helm for a rebuilding Oakland franchise, through no fault of his own.

Bush, who served as the team’s third base coach last year, is replacing former major-league manager Brad Ausmus, who left Oakland’s organization earlier this offseason to pursue a baseball operations role, on manager Mark Kotasy’s staff heading into next season. The club also announced that pitching coach Scott Emerson and Tommy Everidge will return as Oakland’s pitching and hitting coaches next season.

That’s the word from Jon Heyman of the New York Post, who adds that Ausmus wants to “get back into baseball ops” -- in other words, a front office gig. He spent only one year in Oakland with first-time manager Mark Kotsay. The search for a new bench coach can and will begin immediately.

Kotsay said his targeted return date is June 1, and barring setbacks, he’s on course to make it back right around that time.

They also announced the rest of new manager Mark Kotsay’s staff, which includes Tommy Everidge as hitting coach, Chris Cron as assistant hitting coach, Darren Bush as third base coach, Eric Martins as first base coach and Mike Aldrete as quality control coach.

Ausmus was in the running for the Mets’ manager job, but after not getting that gig has elected to sit on the bench with new A’s skipper Mark Kotsay. The former Tigers and Angels manager was last in the dugout in 2019.

Heyman reported over the weekend that Kotsay had emerged as the favorite to replace former skipper Bob Melvin, and now it looks like he is indeed the team’s choice. Kotsay has been on the A’s coaching staff since 2015, most recently serving as the third base coach. This is his first manager job at any level.

The hiring was reported on Monday and is now official. The 46-year-old Kotsay will receive a three-year contract with an option for a fourth year. He doesn’t boast any managerial experience, but there’s plenty of familiarity here, as he’s been a member of the team’s coaching staff dating back to 2015. He’ll replace longtime manager Bob Melvin and will likely oversee a rebuilding effort as the A’s appear set for a roster shakeup.