Al Pedrique let go from Oakland A’s coaching staff, per reports

The Oakland A’s plan to move on from third base coach Al Pedrique, reports Alex Coffey of The Athletic.

The A’s hired Pedrique ahead of the 2018 season, initially as their first base coach, and he moved across the diamond to third base in 2020. He was considered an excellent addition at the time, and you can click here to read more details about him.

The 60-year-old was “surprised” by the news of his release, notes Coffey, but he “was told they’d like to give someone else within the organization a chance.”

According to Susan Slusser of the S.F. Chronicle, who confirmed the report, everyone else on the coaching staff is expected to return in 2021, so Pedrique could be the only departure. However, it’s possible that Quality Control coach Mark Kotsay could also leave, as he’s once again on the radar for some of the league’s open managerial positions and he’s already interviewed with the Detroit Tigers.

As for replacing Pedrique, there are no official reports yet, and it’s also possible that some of the remaining coaches could be moved around into different roles like a few were last winter. But Slusser and Melissa Lockard of The Athletic offer a few potential names who could be of interest for the vacant spot.

Lockard mentions Triple-A manager Fran Riordan, and also that current Oakland assistant hitting coach Eric Martins could take a bigger role. Slusser brings up Chip Hale, who has twice worked for the A’s under manager Bob Melvin and was released from the Nationals this month. Slusser also notes that Kotsay could be a candidate to take over the box at third base.

At the moment, the A’s staff includes the following coaches, with one open spot: Bob Melvin, Ryan Christenson (bench), Mike Aldrete (1B), Scott Emerson (pitching), Marcus Jensen (bullpen), Darren Bush (hitting), Martins (asst. hitting), and Kotsay (quality control).