Kevin Kouzmanoff gets a cold shoulder from Oakland Athletics
It’s not always that you come across a player who faces the prospect of losing his position in the team. For Kevin Kouzmanoff, that’s the unfortunate reality that has come knocking his door time and again.
The move to sign the best ball stars has been commonly seen during the winter breaks but in Kevin’s case, the situation looks rather complicated, given the fact that his team has courted two third-basemen, this offseason. The prospect of losing his position
in the team has given Kevin a disturbing look at the club’s conduct in the market and during the off period.
The 29-year-old third baseman was considerably decent last season. He managed to post a batting average of .247 while generating a .396 slugging percentage. Furthermore, his 16 home runs and 71 RBIUs (Runs Batted In) speak volumes on his potential and ability.
In 142 games during 2010, Kouzmanoff picked up 59 runs.
Kevin will enter the spring training period, working with his teammates and his club. However, the management’s conduct has left a puzzling question on his mind. What is he worth to the franchise? Adrian Beltre, who moved to the Texas Rangers on a 6-year
deal worth $96 million, was the first man to be courted by the organization, this season. The A’s then non-tendered their second preferred player, Edwin Encarnacion in December.
During a phone interview from his home in Denver, Kevin talked about the A’s prospect signing options.
"I knew the A's had some money to spend," Kouzmanoff told MLB.com. "Beltre's a good ballplayer, and he was in high demand. There I am kind of sitting off to the side thinking, 'Where do I fit? Obviously, the A's don't really like me that much at third base
if they're trying to get another third baseman.' But at the same time, I'm also realizing its just business, and if they can lock someone down for a certain number of years, an All-Star third baseman who can hit 25 to 30 home runs in the Coliseum, then I really
have no say in it."
Kevin then went to express his feelings on the conduct of the club
"I guess you can say I am a little surprised to be with the team right now because of the interest they showed in other third basemen," he said. "They got one third baseman, and then they tried to go out and get another one, so I feel like I'm kinda third
in line now. But I think that I'm a good enough third baseman to where I wouldn't have a problem finding a job if someone else were to come in and play third base for the Oakland A's."
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