Feinstein discusses new role as A's interim GM
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This story was excerpted from Martín Gallegos’ Athletics Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
WEST SACRAMENTO – Before the Athletics opened up a three-game series against the Rays at Sutter Health Park on Monday night, interim general manager Dan Feinstein met with reporters for the first time since taking on his new title.
Before fielding questions, Feinstein took a moment to talk about his predecessor David Forst, who on Friday left the A’s after 27 seasons -- including the past 11 seasons as general manager -- after he and the club mutually agreed to part ways.
“David Forst has been one of my closest friends for 25 years,” Feinstein said. “So, the last few days have been difficult for me, personally. I have enormous respect for David and the impact he’s made not only on me, but for so many people in this organization for a very long time. Things will not be the same here without him.”
Here are some highlights from Feinstein’s session with the media:
On the focus over the final 40-plus games of the season: “Our focus is going to be on supporting Mark [Kotsay], the staff and the players however we can for the remaining 44 games.”
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On expectations for the team from now until the end of the season: “We hope to get better. We hope to play good baseball. We hope to be competitive. There are a lot of good people here who are doing good work. We will try to make the team better as we go along, but like I said, we’re here to support the players any way we can.”
On the process for finding a new A’s GM and if he would like to be considered for the full-time role: “I believe the process starts immediately. I don’t want to speak on behalf of the owners. That is not something that I’m really concentrating on right now. I’ve been given this role, and I plan to pour every single thing I can into it for the remaining two months.”
What is the biggest challenge for the A’s over these final two months? “We’re trying to get better every day. We’re going to play some teams that are fighting really hard to get into the playoffs. All we can do is go out and compete.”
On what areas of the team put together by Forst he’s looking to improve upon: “I don’t know that now is the time to come in and declare that change is necessary. The foundation of this team is still very good and has his fingerprints all over it. We just are looking to finish the season strong.”
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On how playing at Sutter Health Park has impacted the baseball operations department: “We don’t control where we play. All we can do is try to put the best team on the field on a given day. We’re going to continue to do that.”
On which players in the Minor Leagues are knocking on the door of the big leagues: “I think we have a deep and talented farm system. Some of those players are already here playing important roles on the Major League team. One of the benefits is that we’ll be able to gain more insight on them over these remaining games.”