District On Deck
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Washington Nationals: Dusty Baker’s Seat Starts Warming

By Ron Juckett

Apr 3, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker (12) gestures before the game between the Washington Nationals and the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker (12) gestures before the game between the Washington Nationals and the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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A lackluster start to a high-pressure season for the Washington Nationals increases the spotlight on Dusty Baker. When does he feel the heat?

Is it silly to think Washington Nationals Manager Dusty Baker’s seat might get warm?

A half-game behind the New York Mets early in the National League East, the Nats are a wobbly 6-5 out of the gate. When you are 2-3 against the Philadelphia Phillies, something is wrong.

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Second in the NL in on-base percentage at .352, Washington is eighth in runs scored with 54. The bullpen is in shambles, allowing 10 of the team’s 12 home runs while carrying a record of 1-3. Koda Glover and Matt Albers are the lone relievers with an ERA under 4.00.

An uncertain offseason can lay at the feet of general manager Mike Rizzo and the Lerner family for not pursuing the holes the Nats have aggressively enough. Starting the season with no established closer was a risky move. Although Blake Treinen’s numbers are not great, he is not the problem.

Nor is he the solution. If the Nats can right the ship, they face making a panic buy near the trade deadline to grab the closer they need to win in October. That is a big if because the way Washington is playing, there will be no meaningful baseball this fall.

When things go south, the manager gets the blame. There is an old baseball saying that when a skipper gets hired, every day marks one closer to when he is fired. Remember, you cannot fire the players.

On paper, this is a championship-caliber club. The offense and starting pitching are lethal. Max Scherzer, Steven Strasburg and Tanner Roark are Cy Young candidates. Daniel Murphy and Bryce Harper could win the MVP. Ryan Zimmerman is on pace for Comeback Player of the Year.

Yet, the flaws are real. Baker has an alleged history of burning out arms and overusing starters. When you peek into the Nats bullpen now, how can you not ride the starter a few pitches longer?

Pinning the shortcomings on Baker is not fair. Although he and Rizzo work well together, the ultimate roster decisions are out of his hands. Baker was not responsible for not offering Kenley Jansen a fifth year, passing on Greg Holland or deferring too much money for Mark Melancon’s taste.

Batting Wilmer Difo leadoff, as he did Saturday, is.

In the first 11 games this year, the Nats have scored first four times. Sometimes the team looks unprepared or too relaxed in their approach. Mike Leake of the St. Louis Cardinals shut Washington down primarily by getting hitters to swing at the first two pitches.

Without playing the Mets yet, and only three so far against the Miami Marlins, the Nationals have yet to hit the hard part of the division schedule. If they struggle to beat the Phillies then how will they handle the Mets?

Baker’s job is not, and should not be, in immediate trouble. His contract runs out after the season. If things continue, it will not be renewed. A few bad games against good teams and the pressure on him becomes real.

Next: Blanton Off To Poor Start

With the Nats in “win now” mode, the margin for error is slim, and the scapegoat is always the one in charge.

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