Mark Kotsay — Oakland Athletics
After longtime manager Bob Melvin left for San Diego, the A’s were left without a manager for the first time since 2012. Oakland’s brass chose former Athletic utility guy Mark Kotsay, who played for the team for four seasons (2004-2007) during the course of his 17-year career. Kotsay has been tasked with ushering in a new age of Oakland Athletic baseball, which is an unpleasant task. This team is very lacking in talent. However, this implies that the front office will be a little more forgiving of Kotsay’s early results. Kotsay will have the freedom to experiment with a team that enters ’22 with no expectations.
Mark Kotsay — Oakland Athletics
Rob Thomson — Philadelphia Phillies
Joe Girardi returned to lead the Philadelphia Phillies after a two-year absence. Girardi established himself in New York, leading the Bronx Bombers to the World Series triumph in 2009 and compiling an overall record of 910-710 in ten seasons. The Phillies failed to make the playoffs in his first two years with the team, finishing 110-112 overall. Girardi was fired after the Phillies began the 2022 season with a record of 22-29. Rob Thomson steps forward. Thomson has been Philadelphia’s bench coach for the past five seasons and was a Yankees assistant from 2008 to 2017. Let’s see what he’s capable of as a manager.
Rob Thomson — Philadelphia Phillies