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The Oakland Athletics will name Mark Kotsay their bench coach on Thursday, according to a report from Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Kotsay, 39, takes over for Mike Aldrete, who will take the vacant first base coach position that was previously filled by Tye Waller. Mark Kotsay was the hitting coach for the San Diego Padres in the 2015 season, and the Padres gave the A's permission to interview him last week despite being under contract for 2016. He played for the A's from 2004-2008 and retired after the 2013 season.
Slusser notes that Kotsay "has a reputation for leadership" and this could be a response to clubhouse chemistry issues reported in the Chronicle shortly after this season.
