Elephant Rumblings: Mark Kotsay interviews with Tigers as 3 teams look for new managers

Good morning, Athletics Nation!

One thing about winning 97 games (or the equivalent) three years in a row is that your team’s coaching staff begins to get the attention of the rest of the league. Sometimes that leads to coaches getting the chance for promotions in other organizations, and they’ll be interviewed or even hired for managerial positions.

One such individual in the A’s dugout is Quality Control coach Mark Kotsay. Last winter Kotsay was connected to openings with the Giants and Pirates, though both clubs ultimately went in other directions for their new skippers. Now he’s back on the radar again, as the Detroit Tigers interviewed Kotsay in their current manager search, reports Susan Slusser of the S.F. Chronicle.

In her full writeup, Slusser mentions that Kotsay could also be an heir apparent to current A’s manager Bob Melvin, if Melvin were ever to leave while Kotsay is still around — though there’s no reason to believe that’s an imminent concern.

While Kotsay is a popular coaching prospect and apparently in the running for this spot, he’s also far from the only candidate to meet with the Tigers. MLB Trade Rumors rounded up nine other names that have already interviewed, including another former A’s player in Sal Fasano (currently a Braves coach).

This feels like a no-lose situation for A’s fans. Either Kotsay stays and we keep another good coach, or a beloved former player gets a new opportunity he deserves, to advance his career in the dugout. Best of luck to him either way!

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In addition to Detroit, the Red Sox and White Sox are also looking for new managers. So far, Chicago has only interviewed Tony La Russa, former Oakland A’s skipper and current Hall of Famer.

World Series update

Monday was an off-day, so the Series resumes Tuesday, with the Los Angeles Dodgers up 3-2 over the Tampa Bay Rays and just one win away from the title. Of course, last year the Houston Astros were up 3-2 but lost the final two games to the Washington Nationals.

Here’s the remaining schedule (all times Pacific, all TV broadcasts on Fox):

• Game 1: Dodgers win, 8-3
• Game 2: Rays win, 6-4
• Game 3: Dodgers win, 6-2
• Game 4: Rays win, 8-7
• Game 5: Dodgers win, 4-2
• Game 6: Tue, Oct. 27, 5 p.m.
• Game 7: Wed, Oct. 28, 5 p.m.

The pitching matchup for Game 6 features Blake Snell (visiting Rays) against Tony Gonsolin (home Dodgers). Here are seven key story lines, plus all the FAQ info you need.

A’s Coverage

• Slusser: A’s coach Mark Kotsay interviews for Tigers’ managerial opening ($)
• Bleav podcast: Host Ben Ross is joined by guest Ramon Laureano
• Lockard: Grading Marcus Semien and the A’s 2020 shortstops ($$$)

MLB News & Interest

• Bloom: MLB debt totals $8.3 billion as Manfred mulls options for next season
• Today in Baseball History

Best of Twitter

Twitter was all politics yesterday, so this is all I’ve got for ya