MESA, Ariz. — Manager Mark Kotsay has guided the Athletics through a challenging three-year span marked by significant losses, the cultivation of a young roster, and an emotional transition away from Oakland. Now, he stands at the threshold of a new chapter that holds the promise of brighter days ahead.
On Monday, Kotsay and the Athletics announced that they have reached an agreement on a contract extension that will keep him with the team through the 2028 season, with a club option for 2029. The announcement coincided with the team’s first full-squad workout for spring training, where numerous players and coaching staff gathered for a press conference celebrating the manager.
“I feel incredibly honored at this moment,” Kotsay expressed. “Outside of the day I married my wife, this is one of the most significant days of my life. I have been given an opportunity to lead this group into the future. When I embarked on this journey as a manager in 2022, my one desire was to keep moving forward and ensure this journey was fulfilled.”
At 49 years old, Kotsay is entering his fourth season with the Athletics, steering the team through a period of notable changes, including their relocation from Oakland to Sacramento, California. There, they will play in a minor league facility for the next few years, with plans to eventually move to Las Vegas.
In the previous season, the Athletics finished with a 69-93 record, representing a significant improvement from the dismal 112-loss record in 2023. The team appears to be on an upswing, bolstered by an emerging young lineup that features players like Brent Rooker, Shea Langeliers, Lawrence Butler, and JJ Bleday.
During the press conference, Butler lightened the mood by humorously asking Kotsay how it felt to have “all this talent handed to you, making your job easier.” Laughter ensued, highlighting a shared sense of optimism among the players. The Athletics are setting their sights on a playoff return for the first time since 2020, having achieved a balanced 32-32 record following the All-Star break last season.
Rooker recently signed a $60 million, five-year deal with the A’s, and right-hander Luis Severino secured a $67 million, three-year contract, signaling that the traditionally budget-conscious franchise is willing to invest in its competitiveness within the AL West.
General manager David Forst expressed his pride in Kotsay’s leadership, particularly during the bittersweet final homestand in Oakland, which factored into his decision to extend the manager’s contract. “I’m incredibly proud to have him represent our organization,” Forst stated. “He embodies the face of our franchise to the public, and I have full confidence in him as we navigate the upcoming years and the transition to Vegas.”
Originally, Kotsay had a three-year contract running from 2022 to 2024, and the team had already exercised his 2025 option back in November 2023. With this extension, the former big league outfielder, who played for the Athletics from 2004 to 2007, gains increased job security as the team begins its new journey in Sacramento.
