A's Manager Mark Kotsay on Las Vegas News

Here is Mark Kotsay's full statement from today's pregame

Oakland A's manager Mark Kotsay spoke to reporters for the first time since the announcement that the A's had entered a binding agreement to purchase some land in Las Vegas just west of the Strip. 

The news broke after Kotsay's A's had completed an 0-6 homestand and just before the team's first day off in 13 days. The news was also leaked just before the club left town for a full week. 

The reporters in Texas were not the regular A's beat reporters. Still, they asked him his thoughts on the biggest news relating to his club.

"I started my journey being an Oakland Athletic in 2004. That was the beginning of the ownership change, and the beginning of what I think all of us were aware that the stadium was an agenda for that ownership group, which started in 2005."

"I feel for the fans with this announcement. Not just the fans, but the employees that [have] lives here. That have been in this organization probably longer, most, than I have. One of the things about this organization is the continuity and the loyalty that they've shown to their employees."

"With that being said, my position, where I stand is I'm managing this team, and I don't have control over those decisions. My focus is on getting this team better. Improving with the maturation of these young players, and winning as many games as possible."

Kotsay said he heard the news via text from GM David Forst as they were flying to Texas for this weekend's series.