The Astros interviewed A’s quality control coach Mark Kotsay last week as part of their ongoing search for A.J. Hinch’s replacement, reports Brian McTaggart of MLB.com (via Twitter). Kotsay becomes the ninth known candidate in Houston’s wide-ranging managerial search.
Kotsay also drew consideration from the Giants and Pirates for their vacancies earlier in the offseason, but he ultimately lost out to Gabe Kapler and Derek Shelton, respectively. He has no MLB managerial expereience, but he’s worked in the Padres’ front office and on the Pads’ and A’s coaching staffs since retiring as a player in 2013.
Kotsay joins Joe Espada, Eduardo Pérez and Will Venable as potential first-time managers to sit down with Houston. The Astros have also interviewed former MLB skippers Brad Ausmus, Dusty Baker, Jeff Banister, John Gibbons and Buck Showalter.
Nothing makes you feel old like seeing former players you remember as rookies getting manager gigs.
I was just thinking the same thing. I’m also bummed that Jeter is my age and now he’s in the HoF. I guess I’ve jumped the shark in some ways = (
Derek Jeter might be your age but he’s also the only person at that age to be Derek Jeter. Kind of asinine to compare yourself to him. You might end up being more famous than him for what you do at age 60, you know? Life’s a different journey for everyone!
Good lord, man, it’s a joke.
I think you took his comment way out of context.
Hey Francis!: “………!!!”
Yep, pretty much what you guys said… it sucks.
The fact that Espada hasn’t got the job makes you think he was involved or had knowledge of what was going on in `2018 or 2019.
Not necessarily. It’s easy to make that assumption but we don’t know all the facts. But one reason HOU isn’t looking internal is the same as to why I don’t believe Roenicke will hey the Sox helm, the team needs to make token efforts to show they’ve “moved on” from that culture.
or that he simply isnt as slam dunk of a candidate as some think
Occam’s razor. Indeed.
@Darkside830, Agreed
@Darkside830, Agreed
From what I’ve read, I don’t get the sense that Espada was actively involved in running the scheme after he got hired, but I also find it hard to believe that he didn’t know about it.
But on the other hand, he got passed over for managerial openings with at least four teams before the cheating was public knowledge, so I tend to agree with the other commenters that there could be other factors at play.
The Astros are cancelled.
I have toyed with the idea the players used a buzzing device. I have tried to keep my emotions out of it and just watch the clips.
I love the Astros but it really looks like they had something beyond the trash cans.
If they really suck this year, it will be hard to say it’s backlash from dealing with the drama and not say it’s from the end to their cheating advantage.
Their next coach, I don’t envy.
but to be fair Altuve had great numbers even before 2017.
What does that even mean?
If you weren’t good enough for the Pirates….
Given how tarnished the organization’s reputation is, it’ll be fascinating to see who chooses to work for the Astr*s.
Sf2win – I completely understand your point; but, people don’t have that type of mentality anymore. Someone will see an opportunity and take it – whether it’s driven by ego, ambition, or savior complex, they will take opportunities.
In a profession that only has 30 job openings, you’d have to think not many would turn the job down. They are literally the fresh start, and have no connection to it at all.
Well, tarnished is one thing to most people and another entirely to buthurt Yankee and Dodger fans. Right?
Should be will Venable.
whoa blast from the past as a Braves fan
By Mid Season the Astros and Red Sox should have new managers
Hopefully before then.
I think vegas was being quasi facetious
Greatest college baseball player of all time or at least that I ever watched.
Vast difference between those two options, Spookster.
Who you got Montezuma?
Cortez the killer
I’m rooting for an Eduardo Perez / Bobby Evans combo because I hate the Astros
It’s time for Brian McCann to make his statement. Literally has nothing to lose, everything to gain.
Sleep well, sweet prince.
Do you think Kuechel really apologized? Seemed pathetic to me. More interested in bringing up other teams than showing any remorse or taking any ownership
Keuchel should have been suspended for what he said and implied about Fiers.
It seems like Fiers is a jerk.
Hall of famer Pedro Martinez called Fiers a bad teammate for breaking the clubhouse rule so Keuchel isn’t the only one to feel the way he does about Fiers. He won’t be suspended.
Maybe a little player/coach?
Like a dwarf?
Vertically challenged is more appropriate
They should go further outside the box than that. The only member of the Astros organization who can be trusted is Orbit. I would love to see a Mascot/Manager. Just imagining Orbit making his way to the mound to make a pitching change puts a smile on my face.
What is taking so long!!??
Please no Ed Perez! He mumbles too much…..
It’s called marble mouth
It’s not brain surgery. They just need a Casey Stengel type to fill out the lineup card…..
I want the Astros to win the World Series just to watch the rest of baseball and the writers have a meltdown.
Get Tony Larussa to come out of retirement!
I thought the idea was to distance themselves from cheaters… Larussa had a scheme with lights on the scoreboard at Old Comiskey to alert hitters to the pitch. Yesterday’s starter would operate them from the clubhouse
According to a guy who never played for the White Sox under laRussa
I think Dusty might be their best choice, simply because he’s so respected by fans and the media he can lessen the Astros hate that they’re going to see in every town this year. It’s an odd season where their on-field performance isn’t the most important thing, sort of like Penn State ten years ago.
Good take. I think a rookie coach like Kots would bring that optimism angle, too.
I would prefer to see Dusty Baker and Pete Putilla on one year deals. The team is basically set up. Any moves would likely require Crane agreeing to pay. Putilla is a development guy, let me him handle the draft.
I think Dusty can bring something to the team. He has something to prove. The team has something to prove.
Next offseason, Crane can reassess and decide what he wants to do long term. I don’t think that’s necessary or even a good idea at this point. With all the pieces in place, a shake up or new organizational philosophy seems counterintuitive for 2020.
i really hope Brad Ausmus gets the gig.
Fans really want MLB issue a “Game of Thrones” style punishment against the Astros. Astros got what they deserved – my only issue with this whole fiasco is if MLB is truly interested in cleaning up the game then the Astros won’t be the only team getting draft picks stripped, personnel suspended, and fined. Astros designed the clandestine sign-stealing operation from watching other teams. Astros were very good at analyzing other teams sign-stealing. As many as 10 other teams were involved in using technology to steal signs. I hope MLB DROPS the hammer on them as well. This crap goes back years. MLB needs to make an example of all the teams and punish the darn players as well.