Oakland Athletics announce promotion of Mark Kotsay, 46, from third-base coach to manager

The Oakland Athletics announced, on Tuesday, the hiring of Mark Kotsay as their next manager.

Kotsay, 46, was Oakland’s third-base coach last season and is a former bench coach with the Athletics. He now takes over for Bob Melvin, who left to manage the San Diego Padres.

Kotsay is a former major league outfielder who played for seven clubs, including the Athletics. He finished his career with 127 home runs, 720 RBIs and a .276 batting average.

The Athletics, who have long been an American League contender with a small payroll, continue to compete for postseason appearances. Oakland was deep in the mix for a wild-card berth last season before eventually giving way to the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees.

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“If you told me three or four years ago I would have a 27-year-old hitting coach, I probably would have said no,” Melvin said. “But he is that good, that knowledgeable … just a really, really smart kid.”

Oakland, in what surprisingly turned out to be Melvin’s last season, ended 86-76, six games off the wild-card cutoff line.

As MLB takes a turn toward spring training, there have been rumors swirling about potential Oakland trades that could alter the club’s payroll and makeup, but nothing major has surfaced yet.

Reports have the A’s considering moving stars Matt Chapman and Matt Olson, both of whom have two years of control remaining. If those players move, Oakland’s other core players would also presumably be available, including starting pitchers Sean Manaea (one year of control), Chris Bassitt (one) and Frankie Montas (two). Some consider that catcher Sean Murphy (four years of control left) could also be had for the right offer.