The Oakland Athletics have hired Mark Kotsay to be their next manager, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan on Monday, confirming an earlier report.

Kotsay, 46, was Oakland's third-base coach last season and is a former bench coach with the Athletics. He now takes over for Bob Melvin, who left to manage the San Diego Padres.

The Oakland Athletics are the only club without a manager at this point in the offseason.

However, Jon Heyman reports that the A's are "closing in" on hiring a new manager, with Mark Kotsay appearing to be the top candidate.

The Oakland Athletics are one of two clubs without a manager -- the New York Mets are the other.

Clubs can hire a manager during the lockout.

According to a report, there are six candidates that have been or will be interviewed by Oakland soon. The list of possible hires includes Darren Bush, Joe Espada, Marcus Jenson, Mark Kotsay, Matt Quatraro and Will Venable.