The Reds want manager Dusty Baker back for the 2013 season. General manager Walt Jocketty planned to meet with Baker and offer him a short-term contract this morning, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports (on Twitter).
The Reds were eliminated from the playoffs yesterday, ending a season that saw the team win 97 games and the NL Central title. Baker, who has managed the Reds since 2008, recently missed some time after suffering a mini-stroke. However, he recently said he's "not through managing," an indication that he expects to return for at least one more season.
The Reds have won the NL Central twice since Baker was hired, and their overall winning percentage for the five year period is .517. The 63-year-old earned $3.5MM per season on his first contract with Cincinnati.
And there goes the silver lining of the Reds’ early exit.
at least your fan base isn’t being painted as racists for wanting him out. lucky you.
-cubs fans
I’m a Cardinals fan and I thought that was an idiot argument. No, its just that some of us think he isn’t a very good manager. Its an opinion based on his decisions. What kind of an idiot would want to fire a hypothetical “best manager ever” because he isn’t the right race? Very few of us I’d like to think.
2010? Overmatched. 2011? Underachieved. 2012? Choked. How many managers keep their jobs after that? Apparently only one…
I’m very appreciative of Dusty for getting us to this pint but I see more moments like this playoff series as long as he’s in control. He just doesn’t know how to manage game at a time. He was great the first two games because it didn’t require any management but he really blew it in the 4th game, leaving Leake in way too long when he was obviously outmatched. He allows his team to fall into a “defeated” mentality when they are down 4-5 runs…
I say let Dusty retire and offer Chris Spier a two year contract to prove what hes got.
they need to get rid of stubbs and bring up hamilton and put him in center field.. asap.. lol
Well, if Baker returns you know you’re getting Willie Harris in CF if Stubbs is moved…
I wouldnt say get rid of Stubbs but I’m ready to see the second coming of Slidin’ Billy. And I’m not even a Reds fan
Great, so this means another year where Drew Stubbs will be our starting outfielder and more than likely we will plug a Veteran into our starting 3rd base job while Todd Frazier and Chris Heisey ride the pine. This should be fun.
The only issue I have with Baker is his love for hitting guys that hit like pitchers in the 1 and 2 slots of the order and play a 3B that has been done for about two years.
What other manager could be in charge of a playoff team, and have the fans at large asking for his firing? With all the changes in thinking and progressive approach to examining how teams are run, I have no idea how Baker still has a job.
Baker is worth every penny. He is a class act, and a great man to run a team. Kinda wish he could come manage my Red Sox =[
They shouldn’t have let go of Francona. That was a big mistake. I don’t get how the best GM in Epstein and the best manager in Francona are booted away by a crazy Red Sox owner who clearly got impatient with only 1 bad season. But in regards to your comment, I have to wonder your reasoning as to Baker being a “great man to run a team”
The problem is, too many Reds fans were bandwagon Cubs fans and the Cub fans hate Baker. Baker made me scratch my head more than once, but shoot, they dominated the central… and if it wasn’t for injuries, I believe they would have dominated the Giants.
Those speaking about Stubbs turned the corner a bit in the playoffs, solid contact most AB’s, his average wasn’t there but he was more productive that Votto. I believe Stubbs has earned at least a month or 2 of trial next year. So much talent, just has to tap it.
You can not judge a player based on just 5 games. Stubbs has gotten worse each year and he’s going to start to get expensive. Honestly it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he was a non-tender this year. If Bowden was still a GM he’d jump all over him a 5 tool player that can’t really use any of the tools.
I agree you cannot judge based on 5 games. But he clearly was one who stepped up (along with Phillips) for the postseason. I think Stubbs needs to be on a very short leash, but it is his spot to loose.
Stubbs hit .211 in the Giants series. 4 for 19 with a double and triple. How is that stepping up?
We won the central because Albert and Prince left. I’m pretty sure anyone could of managed this team and won the Central this year. Not hard to pencil in the same starters for 161 games. It wasn’t until postseason game 4 that Dusty had to manage the starters and look how that turned out.
I hope another team offers him a contact and he leaves. We can take part of his salary and get a decent CF.
should have started latos in game 4
Baker deserves zero credit for the Reds great season. His managerial decisions in games are often questionable. He also is the kind of manager who plays certain players only because he’s friends with them, and disregards their production. (Giants fans know this). A manager that chooses friendship over talent doesn’t deserve to be credited with even a 1 year deal. I feel bad for Baker though. He has lost so many critical and must-win-to-advance playoff games throughout his tenure as MNGR. I feel like he’d make a decent bench coach…..
Wow. Pretty hard to believe. What’s happened to Walt?
Tough to be a Red fan today it seems. It’s tough to see a team play within a win of having the best record in the NL over the 162 game season….only to get beaten by a hair in the 100 yard dash by lesser teams.
Braves did it for 2 decades. It was awesome baby with a capital A
I’m guessing the Giants fans weren’t too excited in 1991 when they won over 100 games and missed the playoffs.
Sounds about time for Dusty Baker to reclaim the healm of the Cubs. I have a funny feeling, though, that his first move would be to bring Mark Prior back so he could pitch him the first 50 innings of the season.
Imagine if Baker didn’t bat Stubbs in the 1-2 holes all year and if people were actually on base for Votto. I hope they don’t offer Baker a new contract. I think he does well relating to players but when it comes down to making the line up out and in-game decisions he is one of the worst managers in baseball. Latos should have been taken out after given two runs if not should have started game 4. Frazier should have been playing for Rolen back in May already. I want a new manager. Period.
Stubbs has declined every year he’s been in the majors. Pitchers have figured out how to get him out, he hasn’t adjusted. Teams that are rebuilding can keep running him out there, but a team trying to win can’t start a OF that hits in the low .200’s while striking out 200 times, especially not as a top of the order hitter.
As for where they were before Baker they were building a impressive group of young talent that could win games with pretty much anyone calling the shots. The majority of the Reds are home grown, or have spent a very large majority of their career wearing the Reds uniform.
The Reds didn’t become good just because Dusty Baker came to town, they were going to become good regardless of that. Much like Jocketty who signed on at the right time for the work of drafts of the two GMs prior to make him look good, Baker did the same.
Give Baker some of those late 90’s early 00’s teams and he’d likely lose 90 plus games just like those managers did.
I hate when someone tries to tell fans how they should feel. What’s it to you anyway?
Nobody has said that Dusty should be let go because he didnt advance in the playoffs. More about his general day to day style of managing. Its old school and hard headed. He refuses to enlighten himself to the changes the game has experienced since he played it. That is all.
Ryan Ludwick, Homer Bailey, Johnny Cueto, Mat Latos, Sean Marshall, Bronson Arroyo, Todd Frazier (great year), Cozart was streaky but always had good defense.
And Luke, did you WATCH the Reds games? Some of his managing decisions were questionable at best. Baker is one of the best in the game at managing a team, but when it comes to gametime he is one of the worst. I think he is one of the main reasons of Stubbs’ problems, he continues to try to make him use his speed and be something he isn’t. Bat him 8 and let him hit for power. Gold Glove defense, 25 homers and 20 steals is worth PLENTY of value.
But just think of this logic: Game 4 he leaves Mike Leake in and basically concedes the game so he can “rest his bullpen.” Game 5 comes along, win or go home, and bases loaded in the bottom of the 5th, Latos falling apart at the seams he leaves him in instead of using his PERFECTLY well rested bullpen. And then when he does bring someone in, its the guy who has pitched more than anyone this series. Good logic. He always plays for tomorrow, but the post season there is no tomorrow, only this game right now. The Reds wouldn’t be who they are without him, he has helped young players mature and become who they are, but unless he decides to come out of 1960 baseball and step into the reality that you NEED baserunners in order to win, that you have a bullpen for a reason, and sometimes it is good to play by the numbers.
Cueto, Bailey, Latos, Arroyo, the majority of the bullpen was above average, Cozart was a average SS, Frazier pretty good at 3B
Because teams can’t fire the players.
Yes, it’s Dusty’s fault Latos gave up the Slam to Posey. How in the wide world of sports do you let your starter give up 2 runs, then load the bases, in the 5th inning of a Game 5 winner take all playoff game, and freaking stick with him. The Reds had the best bullpen in the MLB this year. Why didn’t he turn to them to try and stop the bleeding?
Dusty’s been in Cincy for 5 seasons – 3 of them have been losing ones.
Apparently that was good enough for Chapman to be on your list.
Marshall has had a number of strong years.
Latos, Bailey, and Arroyo have all been above average for years, you didn’t state how many players do the Reds have that would get MVP or Cy Young votes.
A lot of the Reds bullpen have had very good careers.
I believe the Reds have plenty of players that if they were cut today they’d be starting for at least half the teams in the league.
Now if you are going for players that every team would find a spot for the list is much smaller.
Votto, Phillips, Bruce, Chapman, Cueto, Latos, Marshall (as a loogy)
c’mon man
Once they start making money it becomes more and more difficult to get rid of the players. Back when the Reds were losing mainly because they invested a lot of money in a constantly injured Griffey it was the managers and GMs that paid the price for failure instead of Griffey.
If Votto were to become Sean Casey (.280 average solid OB skills, minimal power) it would be Baker or whoever was managing that would get the boot and not Votto, even though Votto would be far more responsible for the team failing to win then the manager.
Just far easier to show you are doing something by getting rid of a high profile manager who makes a million or two then it is to release a player making 20 million a year.
Stubbs average has dropped every year he’s been in the majors so have his OPS. If he hits lead off for a seasons worth of at bats he’ll strike out 200 times and hit 15-20 homers with the same amount of doubles.
Stubbs will be 28 next season. The only year he was a useful player was 2010.
Stubbs is a below replacement level player. He has all the tools to be a great player but they mean next to nothing since he has massive issues making solid contact.
Even his CF defense isn’t perfect, he’s good but he has problems with balls hit right at him.
Again what did he do in the post season to show he stepped up? Its not like he was constantly on base.
If Stubbs could make contact, hit .260-.270 and use his speed to get more doubles and triples while maintaining his homer and steals he’d be a very good player.
I’ve seen enough though to believe he is a solid 4th OF.
I would agree you cant reason with people. Colin Cowherd said it best: “People who dont get it, dont get that they dont get it”
He’s won everywhere he’s been because of who he’s managed. Since 05 the teams he’s manage have had a losing record 5 out of the 7 seasons.
Baker is not a good game to game manager, however the players like playing for him and generally will play hard for him.
It doesn’t take a baseball mastermind to know that hitting two of your worst hitters at the top of the order and by design giving them the most ABs on your team doesn’t result in a good offensive team.
Also over the years he has time and time again mis-managed both his bullpen and starting rotation. Ask Mark Prior how he feels about Dusty
Oh man Jay_Bruce that was a great read!
Votto hit .389. Highest on team.. That’s far from being bad.
Votto was hurt and not 100% period. The fact he came back when he did after 2 knee surgeries Hit for avg and got on base to me is remarkable. Yes I wish he had the power after his injury but he’s human and went through an injury.
Honestly as well, Hanigan is an above average major leaguer. His catching defense is extremely underrated and he comes up with big hits a majority of the time. We had 3 holes in this offense: back-up catcher (Meso/Navarro) the 2 spot and the 7th spot. The Subbs/Cozart swapping got old fast. Cozart needs to be in the 7th spot (not good enough to get Phillips in consistently) and we need to get either Heisey or another OF that can move Phillips to scoring position or to score Phillips when he is on base. Neither Stubbs or Cozart can do that.