Kotsay Speaks

by ChavyGoldX4 on Jun 20, 2005 4:49 PM PDT

Excuse if this has been posted elsewhere. What I personally think is that if he isnt extended before the end of the season, he would opt out and leave to play for a team like the Yankees.

A'S REPORT
Kotsay dismisses trade talk, but longs to play for winner
John Shea

Monday, June 20, 2005

Mark Kotsay arrived in Oakland last season after the club's four- year playoff run, and the A's failed to make the postseason for the first time since 1999. Now they're rebuilding, and Kotsay makes no secret of wanting to play for a winner.

Although Kotsay is signed through 2006 at $6.5 million per, he can exercise an option to become a free agent after this season, based on how his contract is structured -- he gained that right because he was traded from the Padres in November 2003.

On the other hand, his agent, Greg Genske, is working on a possible extension and spoke Friday with A's general manager Billy Beane.

"I think they've exchanged possibilities of getting something done," said Kotsay, the leading candidate to represent the A's at the July 12 All-Star Game. "I definitely like it here, but I want to win. Everyone in this clubhouse wants to win. A lot of these guys, like (Eric Chavez) and Barry (Zito), they've been to the postseason. They've had the experiences ... and obviously want to get back there."

Peter Gammons reported on ESPN.com that the Yankees are pursuing Kotsay to play center field, between Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield, and that prospects such as pitcher Philip Hughes and third baseman Eric Duncan could be shipped to Oakland.

The A's say they're not shopping Kotsay, and Kotsay called the report "speculation."

Kotsay has a limited trade clause but could be dealt to the Yankees without his permission.

Tweet Comment 20 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

think the A's might trade him first

if they can't sign him to an extension?

by OaklandSi on Jun 20, 2005 5:07 PM PDT reply actions

Yea, I think an extension will be signed...but if

not by the deadline.....prob look to move him

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jun 20, 2005 5:10 PM PDT reply actions

Tough call

Against keeping him: He will be 30 at the start of the 2006 season, and despite the fact that he has been very healthy, a bad back is always there, never goes away, add in his knee and how he never takes a day off, receipe for an injury at some point. I just cant imagine the A's would be getting good value in 2009 with Kots making 8 or so million a year. The odds are fairly high he will at least miss portions of time in his next contract.

Weighing on the side of keeping him: He really does bring those "Captain Intangible" like qualities to the team. Plays the great D like we all know, big hits, vocal leader who backs it up, unlike Kendall. Basically all you can ask for from a leadoff hitter and leader.

If he would take a 3 year deal for 21 million I would bite the bullet and do it, anything more and its a REAL tough decesion. I dont look foward to the day looking out there and seeing someone else playing centerfield, we have been spoiled. To hark back to the T-Long, Byrnes days in center field would make me sick. Im also not sure who they would put out there? Looks like it could be the first non no brainer of the Lew W. era. (Sorry but extending Beane, Crosby, and Harden really were just mere formalities). Could tell us how much money Beane thinks he will be able to play with and how many risks he thinks he can take.

by ChavyGoldX4 on Jun 20, 2005 5:18 PM PDT reply actions

Can't take issue

with any part of that analysis. I'd hope 3 years/21 mil might sound good to both sides.

Note: injury concerns might lower his "market value," and intangibles don't usually raise it--two factors that could work in the A's favor.

I really hope the A's hang onto Kotsay, more than Zito or anyone else currently in question.

Nico

by Nico on Jun 20, 2005 5:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Charles Thomas

could easily make the move to centerfield. He has got more speed than Kotsay and is probabaly a better defender, but he doesn't quite have the same arm strength. If he can match his production from his second half of last season he can match Kotsay's performance at the plate, and if builds on it will surpass Kotsay in every way. Not to mention he's a bit younger and doesn't have any nagging back or knee injuries.

The biggest problem with losing Kotsay would be his leadership, and just the fact he's a quality guy, but Beane doesnt seem to care much about leadership after letting Giambi and Tejada go and deciding to keep Chavez.

by KMoAsFan on Jun 20, 2005 5:31 PM PDT reply actions

Thomas

I'd like to see the CF who is a better defender than Kotsay. I would say that the number is really, really, small. I wouldn't put CT in that select group. Plus he hasn't proven he can hit big league pitching. He tore things up when he first came up last year and then steadily declined after that continuing into this year.

by Larry E on Jun 20, 2005 8:19 PM PDT up reply actions

Doubting Thomas

What part of his 2005 season convinces you that Charles Thomas can hit MLB pitching -- the 0-for-24 start, the consistent comebackers to the pitcher, or the feeble strikeouts against any legitimate power arm?

I know, I know, small sample size, small sample size. Almost as small as my faith in his ability to be anything more than Chris Singleton II, Electric Boogaloo.

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

by DMtShooter on Jun 20, 2005 10:54 PM PDT up reply actions

The case for a deal.

I do not view Kotsay as irreplaceable. So, in that spirit, let me lay out the same ol' tired argument why we shouldn't dismiss a trade involving Kotsay.

There's a crowded outfield. That's not to say that anyone single player is better than him, it just means that there a lot of younger project players who could fill in, develop, and possibly thrive.
Mark's $6.5 million could be applied toward other things such as draft picks that are holding out or even perhaps a replacement OF - with the ability to slug consistently - if someone else in the outfield were dealt at around the same time.
Kotsay's season started very good at the plate but has tapered somewhat, though his perceived value has not [this is subjective; I've myself have never viewed Mark Kotsay with all the favor and love that he receives on this board, although I do think of him as a good OF.]
If the rumors are true and he's in demand, a couple of top prospects and/or cash considerations have to be at least entertained.
[not really about Kotsay] The days of the long-term contract and two-way-loyalty are gone. Get over it; this is a business. There's very little room for a small budget team to be spellbound by sentimentality, especially when players prefer to have agents and player's unions. Fan's have got to realize this and check some of their emotions at the gate...for their own mental health. Does anyone have or can anyone pull up the data that shows median consecutive player service time on one team? I bet it's no more than two years for all 25-man roster players...three and a half years for starting players.
We've got Beane...what's not to love about roster change and transactions? In Beane I trust!

http://www.cafehayek.com ~ a blog for classical liberals

by LowcountryJoe on Jun 20, 2005 6:00 PM PDT reply actions

i really agree with lowcountry

if they got the money honey we got the time. we almost can't take the west this year and the $anks need to do something so i don't think it is too far out of the question to see Kotsay and Kendall moved to them for cash and some very marginal prospects.

"What I'm trying to do is set our pitching up for five years," said Beane

by Satchmo22 on Jun 20, 2005 6:33 PM PDT reply actions

I would move Kotsay in a heartbeat

If someone would take all of Kendall's money off our hands. I like Mark and all, but to free up Kendall's money would just be devine.

Since I dont think anyone drinks that much who has a job as a major league gm, I think the its actually a lot tougher choice.

As to the post above, Im sorry I just dont share you optimistic view of Charles Thomas. I doubt he is an everyday major league player at any point.

by ChavyGoldX4 on Jun 20, 2005 7:08 PM PDT up reply actions

I guess...

you didnt watch any Braves games last year.

by KMoAsFan on Jun 20, 2005 7:47 PM PDT up reply actions

Adjustment

Check out his monthly stats last year. Pitchers made an adjustment on him and he hasn't been able to respond. I wasn't sold on him as being an everyday player at the beginning of the year and I've seen nothing to change my mind.

by Larry E on Jun 20, 2005 8:25 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree.

by Larry E on Jun 20, 2005 8:21 PM PDT up reply actions

It's almost like

theres some vendetta against Thomas from coming over here in that Hudson deal. For whatever reason people on here salivate over seeing Watson in an A's uniform and when he doesn't perform you never hear he isn't capabale of being an everyday player or he cant cut it at this level.

And yeah, I'm well aware Thomas's stats declined at the end of last year, I live in ATL and usually watch most Braves game before the late starting A's games. So what though, he never had a chance to proove he wasnt able to respond. 40 AB's at sporadic times and situations is hardly any way to work on improving. Crosby struggled even worse at the end of last season and Swish has struggled a ton this year, but you didn't/dont hear anyone saying they aren't major league worthy.

The guy was a huge spark to the Braves last year and prooved he could hit major league pitching. Plus when he was struggling at the plate throughout September he was still getting on base by walking or if not that laying down bunts, something no one on this team has prooved they can do. He also committed just 1 error last season which is pretty impressive considering the number of balls he could get to and have a chance to make a play on.

by KMoAsFan on Jun 20, 2005 9:18 PM PDT reply actions

the yanks aren't necessarily "a winner"

just ask jason!

I would hate to see kots leave.

by miguel on Jun 20, 2005 10:08 PM PDT reply actions

everyone talks of freeing up $$

my question is who do we spend it on then?

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

by capper3 on Jun 20, 2005 10:50 PM PDT reply actions

HaHa

very good point, especially with all are young impact players set to be here for a while. Theres really nothing wrong with resigning Kotsay, but he could very easily turn into a Jermaine Dye with his nagging injuries. Maybe Beane could just take the guessing out of his job for once and make it easy by signing a free agent that everyone knows rakes the ball this coming offseason like Soriano. His D isn't really an issue compared to how much his offense will help a team, but we got Washinton to help out anyhow. Plus I'm not sure how much we owe of Kendall's salary maybe Beane could get rid of him and bring back Hernandez.

by KMoAsFan on Jun 21, 2005 12:03 AM PDT up reply actions