LAS VEGAS — The Athletics faced a challenging season last year with multiple uncertainties threatening their performance. Despite this, manager Mark Kotsay maintained team cohesion and concentration, guiding them through a turbulent year.
Fans often expressed their displeasure at the team’s upcoming relocation to Las Vegas through Sacramento, with many abstaining from attending games, leaving the Oakland Coliseum largely vacant. Heading towards what seemed to be their third straight 100-loss season, the Athletics defied expectations by finishing with a 69-93 record, thanks to a strong 32-32 performance after the All-Star break. This provided a glimmer of hope that the team might soon be a contender.
Outfielder Lawrence Butler shared on Saturday morning ahead of a spring training match against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Las Vegas Ballpark, “(Kotsay) always taught us to keep the main goal the main goal. Just play baseball and win games regardless of the stuff going on outside of the field and in the stands.”
Demonstrating trust in Kotsay’s leadership, A’s management extended his contract on Feb. 17, securing him through the 2028 season – marking their inaugural season in Las Vegas – and including an option for 2029.
Owner John Fisher praised Kotsay as “an incredible manager” and emphasized the significance Kotsay holds within the organization. Fisher stated, “He stands for the leadership of our organization and everything that we want to stand for both in terms of what we’re going to be able to accomplish on the field going forward and just the kind of person he is. We want Mark to be our manager coming into Vegas and for a long period after that.”
For years, Fisher had been criticized for not sufficiently investing in the team, with the A’s having the lowest payroll in Major League Baseball for three consecutive years. However, the tide seems to be turning as the Athletics gear up for their first of at least three seasons in a Triple-A ballpark in West Sacramento, California.
During the offseason, they secured designated hitter/outfielder Brent Rooker with a $60 million, five-year contract, and signed right-hander Luis Severino for a team-record $67 million over three years. Furthermore, they reached an agreement on a $65.5 million, seven-year contract with Butler, contingent on a successful physical.
Kotsay reflected on the ownership’s changed stance, stating, “I think that ownership has transitioned in their approach to this team. The last long-term contract prior to doing Brent Rooker was Eric Chavez (in 2004) and now we’ve got one (Butler) on the cusp of doing a longer-term deal, maybe the longest in A’s history. So it’s an exciting time to invest in this young group.”
As the Athletics transition to Las Vegas, Butler is set to emerge as a central figure for the team. “I’m excited to be here for a very long time,” Butler expressed. “Signing the players before me let everybody in the organization know we want to continue to build our core and win and do this for most years, not just one year.”
Exciting prospects like Max Muncy, a shortstop drafted 25th overall in 2021, add to the team’s future potential. Thanks to Kotsay’s mentorship, Muncy has the chance to gain vital major league experience as early as this season. “He voices his opinion in the way it should be voiced and lets you know where you stand and where he thinks you can improve,” Muncy noted. “I think that’s important to have an open line of communication with your manager.”
As optimism grows, many believe the A’s could soon compete for a playoff position, a far cry from last year’s early season projections. Reflecting on their post-All-Star break performance, Kotsay noted, “I’ve been in the game a long time. I try to lean on experiences that I’ve gone through, that I know they’re going to go through, and keep them focused on what’s the most important thing, which is the game itself and going out and competing every day with the mindset that you have to just go out and win one game. I think these guys have bought into that.”
Significant efforts have been made to build a sturdy foundation and foster a mindset aimed at daily improvement, placing the team on a promising path forward. “We’ve done a lot of work of building a foundation of routines and a mindset that you can get 1% better every day here and you’re going to do great things,” Kotsay concluded.
