Elephant Rumblings: A’s fare poorly in anonymous players’ poll

MLB news roundup

Happy Friday, Athletics Nation!

While the results came as no surprise, I nevertheless took great interest in the most recent anonymous poll of over 100 players conducted by The Athletic. Senior writer Dennis Lin reported on the results on questions regarding which MLB managers they would most—or least—like to play for, as well as which teams have the best—and worst—reputations.

I’m guessing you will also not be surprised that the A’s are at or near the bottom of the heap on both matters according to the players who responded. Keep in mind that players were asked to choose managers and teams that they don’t currently play for in answering these questions.

On the question of which manager players would most like to play for, only 16 managers received votes from 121 respondents. So the fact that A’s skipper Mark Kotsay received no love here merely puts him in the bottom half among fellow MLB managers.

Interestingly, former A’s catcher and present day Guardians manager Steven Vogt received the third most votes (15) behind the Rangers’ Bruce Bochy (20) and the Reds’ Terry Francona (17). Not bad at all for a guy in just his second year on the job!

Only 40 players gave a response as to which manager they would least like to play for, and Kotsay was one of just eight named, though he only received two down votes. The Rockies’ Bud Black and the Cardinals’ Oli Marmol took the biggest beating on this question with five votes, making them the most unpopular managers in terms of net favorability on both questions.

However, the A’s really took the cake—or perhaps we should say cow pie—on questions of organizational reputation. They were among nine teams that received no “good” votes, and the most “bad” votes (39) by a significant margin over the next worst team, the White Sox (31).

Some of the comments received about the A’s suggested they are cheap, playing in an undesirable location, and don’t provide good meals and accommodations to their minor leaguers.

Owner John Fisher has put all kinds of positive spin on the A’s departure from Oakland and plans to move to Las Vegas in 2028, but he should take note that players around the league certainly don’t share his enthusiasm at this point.

Have a wonderful weekend, AN.

A’s Coverage:

• MLB players make it clear they don’t want to play for the A’s, but which managers, teams do they like? ($)
• The Athletics Need to Sell at the Trade Deadline, and That’s a Problem
• Outfield legend Hunter gives A’s rookie Clarke perfect new nickname
• Wilson enters Hitter Power Rankings

MLB News & Interest:

• New details emerge in Tyler Skaggs civil case; Wade Miley alleged to be early drug source ($)
• Twenty things I’m hearing and watching for on MLB trade deadline with 50 days to go ($)
• Mets Receiving Trade Interest In Paul Blackburn
• Brewers Promote Jacob Misiorowski
• Mets To Place Kodai Senga On IL With Hamstring Strain
• Brewers’ Aaron Civale Requests Trade
• Giants will try to focus on Dodgers while preparing for unrest in L.A.: ‘It’s heartbreaking’ ($)
• Today in Baseball History

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