Mark Kotsay assesses Athletics' roster after the team's quiet MLB trade deadline
Athletics manager Mark Kotsay speaks with the media before the team's game against the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday at Great American Ball Park.
Mark Kotsay assesses Athletics' roster after the team's quiet MLB trade deadline originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Video Transcript
Lot of stuff between the roster moves and the trade deadlines.
Start with the deadline.
I know we're not expecting much to happen.
What do you think now that it's come and gone, and you guys m- did make a move, with Colby Thomas going for Seth Johnson?
Yeah, I think that, that came in late, yesterday, pretty close to the deadline.
And, obviously on my end, you know, when David called me to tell me that we were moving Colby, you know, and, and obviously bringing a bullpen piece in, that, that we felt could help us, you know, it's a trade-off obviously.
I, I really do like Colby.
I think he's still got some upside, to his future, to his career.
But it seems, you know, that, that there was a fit for kind of both organizations in terms of a need and, you know, we're excited to have him.
Yeah.
Do you think of, just Johnson's like his stuff looks pretty good, maybe a lot of walks, but some strikeouts as well.
Does, has he kind of figured, figured this role out yet?
Yeah, I mean he's got the potential to be a backend guy.
Obviously the velocity is key.
But strikes are key.
You know, for him, I think the success lies in being able to get it into the zone.
'Cause, like you said, it's, it's big stuff.
You know, and I think, yeah, he's still young, he's still learning.
A lot of those guys in that group can say the same thing, we could say the same thing about.
But, you know, we'll give him those opportunities to, to get in there and, and, and take advantage of it.
Based on Kirks' diagnosis, looks like it's a reaggravation.
How do you, is it, are you positive that he's only out the 10 days?
Or does it kind of look like that- Well, I mean, I just don't want to assume that, that, there's a timeline here.
You know, the report kind of mentioned that it's a reaggravation of the capsule.
If I remember right, and read it right there, there may have been a tear, that was listed on the, on the report.
I, I'm, I'm assuming, you know, it, it's gonna be more than just 10 days.
Obviously we'll see how this process goes and, you know, the goal obviously is to just get this thing put behind him so that, there isn't, you know, a timeline that, when he comes back, he has to deal with any soreness or, or any other issues with it.
Is there any like, considerations of potentially just like shutting it down?
Or is it just, I know he wants to keep playing, but, is that like a conversation at all that- It, it, it will be when we get to that point.
I mean, right now we still have a, I think still enough timeline to the season where he can, you know, go through this process and, and not have to, you know, think about the 60 day for him.
It's very similar, I would think, to Shea.
And, and for both of them, obviously wanting them fully healthy and, and not pushing the envelope to get them back, until they're ready and 100%, you know, pain-free and, and, and both injuries for both players are behind them.
Yeah.
Spring's going the hill.
Is that, you know, he came outta that start in Minnesota, was kind of maybe a lingering thing for him?
It's been lingering.
Yeah.
And, you know, we had a great conversation on, on Sunday, just as to, as to his health, his overall, you know, ability to go out and be confident when he's on the mound with his mechanics.
And, you know, we all kind of determined that the best, best route of action or course of action is to, to shut him down right now and see if we can again, you know, get the soreness, get the fatigue, get him feeling, you know, confident in that hip and that lower half.
Going forward with first base, I know McNeil's there today.
Matt White there and Heims, which kind of the guys that you expect to maybe fill, fill that spot right now?
I do.
I feel like all three of those guys, will, will get time at first base.
Obviously, you know, it's nice to have options.
I think, you know, with Muncy being called up, you know, we're gonna have to get a look at, at Max as well.
You know, he's a part of this group that, you know, we're, we're obviously at a point where they're not all together.
They won't be all together for the rest of the season, but there's pieces here that we need to kind of really identify if they can, you know, impact the, the, the group as a whole next year.
What do you think of, turning JT back?
Obviously he's been a big part of this rotation to get him back going out there for you tonight.
Yeah, happy that he's, he's put the blister behind him.
It's a great opportunity for him here to, to, you know, get back going.
You know, for us, he's been our best starter all season and, it's nice to have someone, that we feel real confident about when he takes the mound going out there.
He change his grip at all- No with the blister?
No.
The, the timeframe, for him was, put into place so that there would be no changes and, you know, he'd be able to go out and compete the way he wants to.
So Lodolo over there has had it a couple years in a row and, Singer had it and just wondering, does it seem like there's a more lifters showing up with the emphasis on spin rates?
No.
No, I don't feel like that.
I, I'm, I'm curious to hear what Tito says, but, for me, I mean, the blisters have always been a part of pitching.
And you know, it, it, they pop up when they do.
This was one of our first ones this year, so we haven't had an abundance of, of, of finger issues at all.
