MLB rumors: A's Mark Kotsay ‘hot new name' in Giants' managerial search

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We've toasted former Giants manager Bruce Bochy to celebrate his illustrious career of over 2,000 managerial wins as he retired from baseball.

So now what? 

It's difficult to picture anyone else with the responsibilities other than Boch, but there reportedly are already names being thrown into the hat. One, in particular, already is attached to Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi:

The mention of Mark Kotsay makes sense. Zaidi was in the A's front office from 2005 through 2014, and Kotsay played for Oakland from 2004 through 2007.

Now, Kotsay's the A's quality control coach, and he recently told the San Francisco Chronicle managing interest him.

His background could create the perfect résumé and transition for such a position. 

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As a quality control coach, one would take care of everything from preparing players for games to addressing front-office issues. With analytics playing a bigger role in the game, the position could be a conduit for advanced scouting as well -- both from in-person and the analytics department itself. In some cases for teams, ta quality control coach could even take an assistant hitting coach's place in helping with batting practice.

A league source told NBC Sports Bay Area Kotsay as the Giants' manager is a possibility.

"Hmmm ... maybe he could," the source said. "Especially since today, managers don't manage anymore -- the front office does. So you really just need someone who knows baseball, but is more of a people person and knows how to handle players."

After thinking about it for a moment, he was more confident in saying Kotsay would fit the bill. But he mentioned another current A's coach.

"I think they go old school like Matt Williams," the source said. "It doesn't go with the whole analytics vibe, but Kotsay could relate to younger guys easier."

[RELATED: Giants excited about future of young talent]

Zaidi said one of the main traits he seeks in replacing Bochy would be "relationship building," which he said was important when it comes to the players.

The source also said that one of a quality coach's main responsibilities was maintaining a rapport with the players because this individual is sometimes "the true glue guy between the front office and the guys in the field."

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