A’s Plus

Matt Kawahara hosts The San Francisco Chronicle's podcast on the Oakland A's, featuring interviews with past and present players, managers and executives of the trend-setting franchise. With contributions from national baseball writer John Shea.

Sports
Baseball
126
How the A's Look After the Deadline
David Feldman and Susan Slusser chat about the newest A's pitchers, what's wrong with Matt Chapman, who should be playing second base, when A.J. Puk should join the bullpen, and the upcoming schedule — why Oakland fans should root for the Twins.
21 min
127
New Reliever Jake Diekman
The left-hander, acquired from Kansas City last month, talks about joining the A's and some of the strangest jobs he's had. Plus: His surgery for ulcerative colitis and his work with Gut It Out to help those with similar conditions.
16 min
128
How A's Access Will Look in 2020
A's COO Chris Giles stops by to explain exactly how successful the revolutionary A's Access ticketing plan has been this year, and he talks about the even more fan-friendly changes in store for next season — including expanded benefits and hassle-free changes.
15 min
129
Astros Manager A.J. Hinch
The Houston skipper assesses the A's and talks about Bob Melvin's influence on him. Plus: A's minor league pitching coordinator Gil Patterson on two no-hitters on the same day, and injury updates on Luzardo, Puk, Manaea and Cotton.
35 min
130
Bob Melvin on the A's vs the Astros
The A’s manager discusses the team's big series at Houston, Khris Davis’ recent struggles and the work the rotation has done this year. Plus: The trade deadline, players returning from injuries and more.
12 min
131
Lou Trivino on What Went Wrong
The reliever explains the mechanical issues that led to his first-half struggles. Plus: Are the A's like the Philadelphia Eagles? And broadcaster Vince Cotroneo chats with Susan Slusser about Homer Bailey and the team's needs at the trade deadline.
21 min
132
David Feldman on the A's Hot Streak and Their T...
Susan and regular guest David Feldman look at the A's hot streak, the tough second-half schedule, the addition of Homer Bailey, and discuss some great work by Laureano, Canha and Semien.
27 min
133
Talking A’s and Giants at the All-Star Break
In this joint A’s Plus and Giants Splash podcast, beat writers Susan Slusser and Henry Schulman break down the team’s first half, look ahead to the second half and talk about potential trades (Bumgarner to the A’s?), while Susan provides her perspective on Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi.
33 min
134
A’s Reliever Liam Hendriks
A’s reliever Liam Hendriks stops by to talk about his trip to the All-Star Game this week and his long road to get there after being designated for assignment last year, plus his thoughts on handling the A’s closer role.
14 min
135
David Feldman on All-Star Matt Chapman, Jesus L...
Podcast regular David Feldman joins Susan to talk about some exciting recent developments with the A's, including Matt Chapman's All-Star selection, the team's strong play and what they'll need to do from here, and the looming and highly anticipated debut by Jesus Luzardo.
21 min
136
Mike Aldrete and Derrick Goold in St. Louis
A's coach Mike Aldrete discusses his work with Oakland's hitters and how he meshes with hitting coach Darren Bush. Then, Susan Slusser and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold talk A's, Cardinals, Stephen Piscotty and hockey.
59 min
137
A's General Manager David Forst
A's general manager David Forst analyzes where the team is at the halfway point and discusses what Oakland might do with the rotation and bullpen, and potential needs before the July 31 deadline. (This is an updated episode. The previous version was cut off.)
21 min
138
Third Baseman Matt Chapman
A's third baseman Matt Chapman discusses his own play this season - he believes he's underperforming offensively and defensively, and why he thinks that is - and gives his thoughts on the team's difficulty breaking away from the .500 mark. Plus what he says about a possible long-term extension.
15 min
139
Scott Boras on the A's Top Pick
The super-agent talks about his client Logan Davidson and discusses his view on long-term extensions for young players (cough, Matt Chapman). Plus: David Feldman and Susan Slusser on Lou Trivino, A.J. Puk and the rest of the A’s week.
35 min
140
Jurickson Profar on His Struggles
In Texas, where he played for years, the A's second baseman talks about his friendship with Adrian Beltre, how Oakland is playing lately, and his defensive work. Plus: Susan Slusser and David Feldman on the unending Rangers series.
29 min
141
Hitting Coach Darren Bush; Scouting Director Er...
Hitting coach Darren Bush talks about the adjustments Natt Chapman and Josh Phegley have made plus Ramon Laureano’s hot streak, and how he works with hitters just off the DL, then scouting director Eric Kubota breaks down this week’s draft for the A’s.
24 min
142
Andy McCullough, National Baseball Writer for t...
Andy McCullough, the national baseball writer for the Los Angeles Times, provides his thoughts on the A’s and Angels and chats with Susan about their memories of the 2014 wild-card game, Billy Butler, Farhan Zaidi, Max Muncy and also the hazards of covering a bean-ball war.
21 min
143
Oakland Ballpark Dreams
The A's would love to build a baseball cathedral on the waterfront, just like the Giants. Can they pull it off? And would that be good for Oakland? In this episode of the Chronicle's flagship podcast Fifth & Mission, Phil Matier and Susan Slusser join Demian Bulwa to answer those and other questions.
18 min
144
A’s Catcher Josh Phegley
A’s catcher Josh Phegley discusses revamping his swing, the team’s recent hot string, and ... meat tents and the Pina Colada Song? Yes, yes he does.
17 min
145
Frankie Montas and the A's Hot Streak
A’s starter Frankie Montas stops by to talk about how much he’s grown as a pitcher - from not even liking baseball to throwing 100 mph, plus why he’s now conducting interviews in English instead of via an interpreter. Then, Susan and David Feldman break down the A’s hot streak and the Fernando Rodney decision.
30 min
146
Pitching Coach Scott Emerson
Scott Emerson talks to Susan Slusser about how the rotation’s been performing recently and the progress that’s been made by the young starters. Plus: Emerson’s analysis of the bullpen's up-and-down season and his thoughts on umpires.
21 min
147
Daniel Mengden
A’s starter Daniel Mengden talks about his rough spring, his time in Las Vegas, Edwin Jackson’s influence on him, plus: ballet and puppies!
18 min
148
Stephen Piscotty and David Feldman
A's outfielder Stephen Piscotty discusses the team's issues on the road and the inconsistent offense, including his own, and what he's working on right now as he tries to get his swing going. Then, David Feldman and Susan break down the past week, including Josh Phegley's big breakout.
30 min
149
Jharel Cotton and Chris Townsend
A’s starter Jharel Cotton joins us by phone to talk about his recovery from Tommy John surgery and his rehab assignment Friday at Stockton, plus how Oakland’s other rehabbing pitchers are doing. Then pre and postgame show host Chris Townsend and Susan examine the team’s latest news, including the bullpen’s struggles and the Morales and Jackson transactions.
26 min
150
Mike Fiers and Bob Nightengale
Mike Fiers reflects on throwing his second career no-hitter and why he wasn't that focused on the accomplishment and tells us how his dad didn't know until the next day; then USA Today national baseball writer Bob Nightengale talks no-hitter plus his thoughts on the A's and the AL West.
14 min