Kotsay SIGNS!

by Crosbino on Jul 9, 2005 10:34 AM PDT

Outfielder Mark Kotsay and the Oakland Athletics have reached agreement on a contract extension, ESPN's Peter Gammons reports.

The deal is a two-year extension worth $15 million. Kotsay cannot opt out of his 2006 contract, meaning the deal runs through 2008. The total amount Kotsay will earn through 2008, including 2005, is $29 million. Kotsay also has a no-trade clause through 2006.

Kotsay is hitting .278 with six homers and 43 RBI.

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That made my day

Probably my week and my month, too. Now I can finally get his jersey.

by sign arenas on Jul 9, 2005 10:37 AM PDT reply actions

With that name, you were fearing Warrior

tactic, and letting him go like Gilbert

by theblackpearl on Jul 9, 2005 10:38 AM PDT reply actions

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FoolishGame will be very disappointed.

"Don't you play the flute, Huddy?"

by capper3 on Jul 9, 2005 10:39 AM PDT reply actions

Good news, but...

wasn't he reported as traded 18 times in the last week? You can go crazy with this stuff.

Methinks I'll wait until the team announces it before I believe it for certain.

"Yucky Head Bad Guy!" - my 5-year-old daughter to Manny Ramirez. She got ice cream immediately afterward.

by DMtShooter on Jul 9, 2005 10:39 AM PDT reply actions

I don't think ESPN and Gammons

would put a story on the website without it being 100% true.

"Don't you play the flute, Huddy?"

by capper3 on Jul 9, 2005 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions

gammons

has been wrong before. So until the A's announce this it isn't a done deal. The odd thing is if the A's really did trade Bradford for Payton then this doesn't make alot of sense. Payton isn't needed if Kotsay is still around (and the contract parameters Gammons lists are correct).

by skwid on Jul 9, 2005 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions

yes, they have been wrong as

far as rumors are concerned. but if they say something is actually done, 99.9% of the time it is true.

"Don't you play the flute, Huddy?"

by capper3 on Jul 9, 2005 11:36 AM PDT up reply actions

wow. im impressed.

We signed kotsay! Thats great news!

I want to believe that Lew Wolff stepped up to the plate and put some money down.
However, I think that the A's have so many young players who aren't yet eligible for arbitration, that they can afford to give Kotsay a little raise. Plus next year we get Byrnes, Dotel and Durazo ($11.65 million combined) off our hands.

by uci anteater on Jul 9, 2005 10:50 AM PDT reply actions

dotel

dotel feels bad about his elbow so hes "going to play next year for free"

A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me... -- Emo Philips

by Dwainsays on Jul 9, 2005 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions

this made me laugh...

I hope he stays true to his word

Can we get Astropitch to sell "Free Dan Johnson" T-Shirts?

by carp on Jul 9, 2005 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions

i'll be damned

When they traded Hernandez for Kotsay, I wasn't upset, but neither was I ecstatic. I was like, "Why?" Neither player excited me; Ramon with his mediocre offensive stats; and Kotsay with his injuries.

Now both players have improved by leaps and bounds. And best of all, Kotsay improved a lot, but not so much as to put him outside the A's price range.

Also, this is one of those situations where a good on-field run helped make money-spending possible. If the A's hadn't won 25 of their last 36, they might not be in a position where they could turn down the offer of prospects for Kotsay. They've turned themselves into legitimate contenders this year, and they know it.

by rubin sierra on Jul 9, 2005 10:53 AM PDT reply actions

Yes yes yes yes!!!!!!

Made my day! I have a feeling Kielty might be traded rather than Byrnes, not sure though, since the impending Payton deal........

I thought i would be first to report this, but oh well :P

California here I come, right back where I started from, Californiaaaaa, Californiaaaaa, here I coooooome (June 24th). (OC, i was inspired)

by ohad on Jul 9, 2005 10:53 AM PDT reply actions

Payton

I sure hope Beane discovered a hidden need for centerfielders while shopping Kotsay and will now spin Payton for some great prospects.

by Hang Man on Jul 9, 2005 10:57 AM PDT reply actions

GREAT NEWS!

This is wonderful. With all the speculation that's been happening about Kotsay, it's so refreshing to be able to put it to rest.

Just having that defense in CF will make the contract worthwhile. And having Kots around to keep the rookies in line? Even better. This is a day to celebrate... hopefully he'll celebrate with a huge game tonight.

"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." ~Rogers Hornsby

by Kyli on Jul 9, 2005 11:00 AM PDT reply actions

Oh Yeah! ...that means BB wants 2005

and beyond!

Payton deal looking like a multi-team!

"the A's can be consistent winners if they add power vs righties to this offense without hurting the defense. Kearns? ...worth the chance & fits the budget"

by A s Eh on Jul 9, 2005 11:01 AM PDT reply actions

Oh my

I saw it scroll on ESPN while watching the '04 Home Run Derby ... man did I jump around and shout for joy! I scared my cousins, heh. Yay! Wow, I have the biggest smile on my face!

by ElephantLove on Jul 9, 2005 11:02 AM PDT reply actions

Me too!

I did a little "Woo hoo!" while watching the same 04 Home Run Derby and jumped up as well. I didn't scare anyone though. But still, this is just great! It's a good feeling. The whole of AN is probably breathing a huge collective sigh of relief. I know I can't stop grinning.

"We tend to scoff at the beliefs of the ancients. But we can't scoff at them personally, to their faces, and this is what annoys me." Jack Handey

by davebenfremont on Jul 9, 2005 11:16 AM PDT up reply actions

re

YESYESYESYESYES!!!!!!!!!!!

by 31Boots on Jul 9, 2005 11:06 AM PDT reply actions

awesome

weird to have a no-trade clause for one year, but whatever. Glad to have Kotsay as solid team bedrock for a couple more years.

by Apricot on Jul 9, 2005 11:09 AM PDT reply actions

No-trade

Maybe Kotsay thought that he might sign and be dealt, thus the one year no trade. And I forget when and how the 5/10 rule works. This no trade may get him there.

by dougald1 on Jul 9, 2005 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions

5 years with the same team, 10 in MLB

So Kotsay becomes untradeable without his permission the same year his contract runs out--2008.

A Beane in the hand is worth $60M in payroll

by jeepers on Jul 9, 2005 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions

but that's also the last year

by OaklandSi on Jul 9, 2005 3:46 PM PDT up reply actions

tradeable

2004
2005
2006
2007

2008

2008 will be his fifth year, but you have to have completed five years. So he wouldn't get ten/five until the beginning of 2009.

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -- Gil Meche

by Alien @ Athletics Nation on Jul 9, 2005 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions

5/10

Five years with a team, ten in the majors. I don't think Kotsay qualifies on either count, since I remember that he was called up after the Marlins won the WS in '97 and he definitely hasn't been with us for five seasons.

by dchu on Jul 9, 2005 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions

No trade for one year

Beane hates to grant no-trade clauses. Having the flexibility to trade is too much a part of his business plan. (That's the real reason we didn't re-sign Giambi.) On the other hand, Kotsay really wanted the no-trade. So this is what they came up with as a compromise.

Notice that Kotsay's second child is due in about three weeks. That might have had something to do with both the no-trade and his desire to re-sign, since if he didn't re-sign he probably was going to get traded right about the same time the kid is being born.

by iglew on Jul 9, 2005 7:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Kotsay's First Class

Absolutely great news.

by Instant Replay Umpire on Jul 9, 2005 11:10 AM PDT reply actions

i'm happy

kotsay is probably the most consistent player on the team, which is what they really need.

--Nebraska--

by Ryan Armbrust on Jul 9, 2005 11:10 AM PDT reply actions

I LOVE IT!!

I love the smell of contact extensions in the morning, it smells like... Victory!

2nd favorite team: WHOEVER IS PLAYING THE GIANTS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by ConcordFanSince1968 on Jul 9, 2005 11:22 AM PDT reply actions

I'm so happy that I'm gonna cry!

Now let's get a win today!

GO A's!!!

by AsGirl on Jul 9, 2005 11:26 AM PDT reply actions

Ditto!

Great news!!

Woo hoo!

by Jennifer on Jul 9, 2005 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions

IT'S OFFICIAL!

Link to Oakland's Official Site

--Nebraska--

by Ryan Armbrust on Jul 9, 2005 11:28 AM PDT reply actions

Here's the press release

Kotsay Agrees to Terms on Three-Year Contract
Contract Runs Through 2008; Supercedes Final Year of Current Contract

OAKLAND, Calif. - The Oakland A's today announced that they have agreed to terms with outfielder Mark Kotsay on a three-year contract through the 2008 season. The deal supercedes the final year of his current contract, a five-year deal through the 2006 season.

Kotsay is batting .278 with six home runs and 43 RBI in 82 games with the A's this year. He leads the team with 94 hits, is tied for the team lead with 20 doubles and is second with 43 runs scored and 43 RBI. The 29-year old center field is the third toughest to strikeout in the American League with an average of 12.4 plate appearances per strikeout, and he ranks eighth in the AL with a .359 average with runners in scoring position. Kotsay has not committed an error in 82 games this year and his 198 total chances are second most among AL outfielders with no errors. He has seven assists, which are tied for fourth most among AL outfielders.

The A's acquired Kotsay from the San Diego Padres following the 2003 season for Ramon Hernandez and Terrence Long. He batted a career high .314 last year, which ranked eighth in the AL and was the eighth best single season average in Oakland history. Kotsay also had a career high 190 hits last year, which was the second best single season total in Oakland history and the most by an A's left-hander in 42 years. He was originally drafted by the Florida Marlins in the first round of the 1996 draft and played for Florida from 1997-2000 and San Diego from 2001-03. Kotsay is a .286 career hitter in 1098 games in the Majors. He has 99 assists since 1998, which are the most among all Major League outfielders over that span.

The A's now have six players under contract beyond the 2005 season, not including Scott Hatteberg (club option for 2006), Keiichi Yabu (club option 2006) and Barry Zito (club option 2006). In addition to Kotsay, the other five players and the years they are signed through are: Eric Chavez (2010, club option 2011), Bobby Crosby (2009), Keith Ginter (2006), Rich Harden (2008, club option 2009) and Jason Kendall (2007).

by TroyNeelorBust on Jul 9, 2005 11:32 AM PDT reply actions

I am wondering if BB

leaked the signing to Gammons as a little tidbit. I am wondering if this is so he can leak to Gammons possible trades in the next couple of weeks to increase/decrease certain player values.

Can we get Astropitch to sell "Free Dan Johnson" T-Shirts?

by carp on Jul 9, 2005 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions

Supersedes

Did the A's really just put out a press release with a misspelled word in the subhead? That's so minor-league. Hire an editor already.

by iglew on Jul 9, 2005 7:35 PM PDT up reply actions

YESSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now I can celebrate. I was afraid the news was too good to be true. Fantastic!!

by alamedaman on Jul 9, 2005 11:35 AM PDT reply actions

SWEEEEEEET!!!

Here's the article from ESPN

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2104318

by Fongpay on Jul 9, 2005 11:36 AM PDT reply actions

But what about the socks clause?

Does he have to wear high socks for the whole contract, or does he have a limited low-cuffs option in the out years?

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Jul 9, 2005 11:38 AM PDT reply actions

i'm just glad he has

a no-braids clause. It's a bad look for him.

by Apricot on Jul 9, 2005 12:05 PM PDT up reply actions

and

did anyone check if they put in the section where we can void the contract if he loses his sanity? (alley-oop for someone)

by Apricot on Jul 9, 2005 12:06 PM PDT up reply actions

YEEEEESSSSSSSSS

God's staying in oakland.

by beanedaman on Jul 9, 2005 11:39 AM PDT reply actions

THANK YOU...

Billy Beane, Lew Wolf, and most importantly, our leader, our main man, our MVP, Mr. Mark Kotsay. Class act...loyal...centerpiece of our team. This is a great day for the oakland athletics.

by rsur5 on Jul 9, 2005 11:54 AM PDT reply actions

I'm so confused--

That would suggest that foolshgame22 was wrong, which is impossible. Now what am I supposed to believe--that Kotsay might actually outhit Byrnes against RHP this year? This is getting inside my mind, people! (Where there's plenty of room to stretch out, I might add.)

Nico

by Nico on Jul 9, 2005 11:54 AM PDT reply actions

Nice...

That makes me really happy.

by Squeaky on Jul 9, 2005 12:05 PM PDT reply actions

Yup!

A's Fan in Philly

by Duby on Jul 9, 2005 12:05 PM PDT reply actions

AWESOME!!!!

That's a great news!

by Ktulu on Jul 9, 2005 12:06 PM PDT reply actions

I'm so glad this happened before the AS break.

by Jennifer on Jul 9, 2005 12:07 PM PDT reply actions

GOD YES!!!

He's here to stay, and I am beyond happy!!! :D

"I don't want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want someone else to go chase it." ~Rogers Hornsby

by ZeroIndulgence on Jul 9, 2005 12:12 PM PDT reply actions

decoder ring: so far so good

From the thread on BB's interview, let's see if my Beane decoder ring is working:

Kotsay: re-signed for $7/8M plus limited no-trade. ?"Optimistic" = priority to do it

In the same thread I decode BB as saying Zito is here all year, Macha is gone at the end of the year, Byrnes is traded to the first good bid, and Rosie O'Donnell will find true love.

by Apricot on Jul 9, 2005 12:14 PM PDT reply actions

Well, I'll be...

That is nice. Congratulations Mr. Kotsay!

AN Members Nationality Survey II: Now with color-coded goodness!

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Jul 9, 2005 12:15 PM PDT reply actions

Congratulations us!

by Jennifer on Jul 9, 2005 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions

I was disappointed at first...

...I thought the diary said "Kotsay SINGS!"

I was ready to buy his CD and everything. :P

AN Members Nationality Survey II: Now with color-coded goodness!

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Jul 9, 2005 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions

He know he can pitch

But sing?! Hmm, I dunno :)

by streetfan on Jul 10, 2005 2:01 AM PDT up reply actions

Huzzah!

Oh what wonderful news. Hopefully this trend of keeping our guys around will continue to spread. I guess Zito is the next big name...

Go Beach.

by Dirtbag Pride on Jul 9, 2005 12:17 PM PDT reply actions

OMG!!

THATS THE BEST NEWS IVE HEARD ALL WEEK!!

by TrizzleNizzle510 on Jul 9, 2005 12:21 PM PDT reply actions

Chisox own worst TV broadcast team & fans

I watched the game on the MLB package with Chisox broadcasters, Hawk and DJ, who are the worst announcing team I've ever heard. They use the same sayings every game such as "ducks on the pond", "good guys/bad guys", "WE", "picks to click" and "He gone!" God forbid they hit a homer and you have to hear "and you cannnnnnnn put it on the boaarrrrddd... YES." Last night, though, there broadcast sound picked up a fan yelling Kotsay sucks (insert male organ!!), called him a fag and then his buddy chimed in by referring to him as a queerbait. It was while they were showing the replay of Swish throwing out Timo Perez and what a play it was!! It's back to .500 against the "Guehrle Man" tonight.

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 9, 2005 12:27 PM PDT reply actions

Wow!

I'm impressed, the cynical side of me thought it wouldn't happen. Great news for a Saturday afternoon (if still feels like morning since I haven't been awake for that long, but that's not the point). This makes me oh so very happy-- like someone else said, I can't stop smiling!! :)

by whiteshoes40 on Jul 9, 2005 12:30 PM PDT reply actions

WHOOOOHOOO!!!

Just awesome.

Now where is Payton going?

by pickinmachine on Jul 9, 2005 12:39 PM PDT reply actions

Jay Payton

With news of the Kotsay signing (terrific news indeed) I can guarantee with Gammonsesque certainty (note sarcasm) that the Jay Payton/Chad Bradford deal will fall through. Payton was obviously a Plan B if the A's were going to trade Kotsay for younger talent that couldn't keep us afloat this year. With Kotsay locked up for the next 3 years, there's really no reason to pickup Payton, or for that matter, give up Bradford.

When Bradford comes off the DL after the ASB he'll replace Ryan Glynn and provide another valuable weapon in the bullpen. The last thing we need to do is help out a team by taking on their deadweight and giving them a good reliever in the process.

Besides, how can we give up the Frisbee???!?!?!?

-Adam

by LiveAdam on Jul 9, 2005 12:39 PM PDT reply actions

Payton/Byrnes

I agree with your comments but if Boston decides to pick up the majority of Payton's salary (3.4 mil) for the remainder of this year than Byrnes (2.2 mil) could be dealt because of his future financial impact and he is only a utility player. I love Byrnes but still would have taken Reggie Sanders if that deal would have happened because he is doing well power-wise. I have seen that other mentioned trading Kielty but he has been great this year and his salary ($875,000) is very affordable both this year and next.

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 9, 2005 12:49 PM PDT up reply actions

don't forget the possibility

that Payton might be flipped to another team for prospects, etc...a team needing an outfielder...a team that might not deal directly with Boston...hmmm

by OaklandSi on Jul 9, 2005 1:57 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm so happy!

woohoo! I'm holding a party in my hotel room!

I love Kotsay!

by Sharon on Jul 9, 2005 12:59 PM PDT reply actions

Payton

What about the possibility about the three team trade for Payton, I hear it so much and everybody is worried that he is coming to Oakland. Good news on the Kotsay signing, let's hope he doesn't end up like Dye, but hey he's cheaper.

You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club wont be worth a dime.-Babe Ruth

by doublehustle22 on Jul 9, 2005 1:04 PM PDT reply actions

Yay!

So Happy!

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -- Gil Meche

by Alien @ Athletics Nation on Jul 9, 2005 1:36 PM PDT reply actions

Excellent News

Billy Beane has to pick and choose with his veterans...let's hope he made a good call here and in the future. It's going to be very strange as an A's fan to have almost the entire team come back next year!

Fearing Mecir since 2000.

by salb918 on Jul 9, 2005 1:39 PM PDT reply actions

Zito

will likely be traded in the off season unless he agrees to a new contract.

by Larry E on Jul 9, 2005 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Zito value

Wouldn't you think Zito's value would be maximized by trading him this year? I don't think letting him go after the season makes a lot of sense because future draft picks may never come to fruition. My thoughts are that Zito is worth a hell of a lot more than most people would assume. He is a Cy-Young award trying to give up less that two runs or he would be tagged with a loss because of the poor offensive support. Thankfully the "O" has come around!

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 9, 2005 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions

value

His trade value will be quite high in the off season and we need him for the rest of this year. Hopefully however, Barry wants to sign with us and the new ownership is willing to invest in him.

by Larry E on Jul 9, 2005 3:00 PM PDT up reply actions

Trade

The A's will pick up the option on Zito and then consider trading him. They won't turn down the option and make him a free agent because then they'd only get draft picks like you said. That scenerio would be very risky. If Zito is traded we'll get much better than draft picks, we'll get a good package like the Hudson/Mulder deals.

"Baseball is dull only to dull minds."
Red Barber, announcer

by Furious George on Jul 9, 2005 3:49 PM PDT up reply actions

Just got back home from work

what great news!!!! (Susan was right!)

http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050709&content_id=1122733& ;vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak

by OaklandSi on Jul 9, 2005 1:48 PM PDT reply actions

Top stuff

I don't think we could have done much better for a CF for the next few years. It's a great signing that just further increases the belief that the next few years could be very good ones for the A's as this young team grows around people like Kotsay. Exciting.

by textonly on Jul 9, 2005 4:07 PM PDT reply actions

So happy!

Congrats to Kotsay and the A's! This is great. Now we can build a solid outfield with "Capt. Kots" in the middle.
Woo hoo!

by streetfan on Jul 9, 2005 4:13 PM PDT reply actions

A good day indeed

I heard the news on the radio driving back from seeing War of the Worlds (pretty good movie, btw), and I'm sure other drivers on the road thought I was nuts doing a couple of fist pumps and shouting while I was driving.

"This is supposed to be a happy occasion! Lets's not bicker and argue about who killed who.... "

by JLeverenz on Jul 9, 2005 5:19 PM PDT reply actions