Washington Nationals: Dusty Baker’s fate rests on October
Despite his desires, the Washington Nationals and Dusty Baker are not holding extension talks. Simply repeating as NL East champs is not enough.
As much as Washington Nationals Manager Dusty Baker deserves a contract extension, his fate rests in how far the team goes in October.
He wants to stay and a raise. General Manager Mike Rizzo wants to give him one. The final call, however, belongs to the Lerner family. They sign the paychecks and have yet to talk with Baker or Rizzo, whose contract is up too, about extensions.
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It is good news Baker wants to return. A far cry from the Matt Williams era of two years ago, the Nats are already on the verge of back-to-back trips to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
Although there are nights where you look at the lineup and wonder or question a pitching change coming late, Baker has done the job. He loves the job and his players return the affection.
In the last two seasons, have you heard any dirt from the clubhouse? No. Managing all those egos and convincing them to work together is difficult. Imagine the stress earlier when the bullpen kept blowing leads the starter gave them.
Yet, not one word of discontent. Sometimes, a public pat on the back from said starter after a blown save. You really think Max Scherzer stood in the shower after a game and was content with Shawn Kelley? Even if he was, you never heard a word.
That is Baker and the trust his players have with him. In an era of professional sports where players get coaches fired—think NBA and LeBron James—the fact you cannot get anyone to speak ill on Baker says volumes. Does he handle pitchers well? Show us a manager perfect at that. We will wait.
As wonderful of a skipper and person Baker is, the silence from the top says everything. Get the Nats past the National League Divisional Series and we will talk.
The lack of extension talk does not come across as personal from Lerner to Baker. When Matt Wieters signed, everyone was caught by surprise including Rizzo. Ownership is as quiet as you can be in public. For a city known for larger-than-life personalities and egos, the Lerner’s are a cool wind of fresh air.
Still, win or lose this October, what more does Baker need to get a deal done? His approach works; they are skating to win the NL East in a runaway again. The players lead by example. And, there is not a clear-cut manager in waiting to replace him.
Joe Girardi of the New York Yankees is close in personality and demeanor, but the Yanks have surprised by leading the AL East. He will stay north.
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Baker deserves an extension, but the Nats must advance to fulfill the goal set for this year. That is a tough balance.