The Oakland Athletics have hired Mark Kotsay as bench coach.

During a 17-year Major League career, Kotsay spent the 2004-07 seasons with the A's.

"It's great to be back in Oakland. The time that I spent there from 2004 to 2007 I really reflect back on it with nothing but positives," Kotsay said on a conference call. "We had some great teams and I developed some great relationships here in this organization that have continued to stay strong throughout my journey in baseball."