Baker returning in 2013?

[mattfeet]

Per Mark Sheldon:

"“The way I look at it, we’ll get even better in the future,” Baker said. “The more mature these guys get, we’ve got a bunch of guys here still learning how to hit, still learning how to play basically.”

Does that mean he will be back in 2013? Baker’s face cracked a smile.

“This is my team, you know,” Baker replied.

More later after the workout is over and the clubhouse opens."

http://marksheldon.mlblogs.com/2012/...-at-returning/

-Matt

[Tom Servo]

I don't know that Dusty has his mind made up yet. I think he's committed to seeing how the postseason plays out.

[edabbs44]

Health scares can make people think differently. We shall see.

[kaldaniels]

I have to think he hasn't made up his mind as well.

But if he decides to ride off into the sunset, we'll look back and see a lot of writing on the wall that that was his choice all along.

[fearofpopvol1]

he'll be back. why wouldn't he be? unless the reds decided they didn't want him, which i don't believe is the case, he would be crazy not to comeback, unless his health deteriorated further. the reds are in a fabulous position to compete for the next few years.

[kaldaniels]

Originally Posted by fearofpopvol1

he'll be back. why wouldn't he be? unless the reds decided they didn't want him, which i don't believe is the case, he would be crazy not to comeback, unless his health deteriorated further. the reds are in a fabulous position to compete for the next few years.

Does it not strike you as odd, that he has yet to re-sign? That is why I think he wouldn't be. Lame-duck managers in the playoffs are a fairly rare sight.

[Joseph]

Lots of potential variables. Maybe they've offered 2 years again and he wants 3 and decided to wait and see if they'd up it. No telling.

[fearofpopvol1]

Originally Posted by kaldaniels

Does it not strike you as odd, that he has yet to re-sign? That is why I think he wouldn't be. Lame-duck managers in the playoffs are a fairly rare sight.

It is odd, but I think the fact that Baker won the division and made it to the playoffs twice in 3 years will get him a new deal. The players seem to really be behind Baker as well.

The only thing that could be damning for Baker is if the Reds get swept.

[klw]

I would think how the Reds do in the post-season will effect his decision. If they win it all, he may decide his career had been fulfilled and it he would leave on a high note or it may take the pressure off and just whet his appetite.

[George Foster]

My mind is not made up about wanting Dusty to return. This is not a Cinderella team. We should be here. It's time to execute. This will be a dissapointing season if we don't make it to at least to the NLCS. You can make an argument that this team won in spite of Dusty. The decision not to start Bailey on the road in San Francisco, to me, is the most pivotal decision Dusty has made as the Reds manager. I hope it works out. If this decision backfires on Dusty I think it will be time to part ways. Being a "players manager" is great but you have to make good decisions. "Gut feelings," and loyalty to veteran players is a recipe for being outmanaged...and losing important games.

Numbers say Bailey has no business starting a playoff game at GABP..it's not even debatable. Placing a soft tosser like Arroyo between Cueto and Latos is baseballs version of an old wives tale. Where are the numbers to back up this decision? I remember in 2001 playoffs the Dimondbacks pitched Johnson and Schilling back to back. How did that work out?

Moses got the children of Israel to the promise land...and they were thankful, however it was Joshua that lead them across the river Jordan INTO the promise land. If Dusty doesn't get the job done this year the Reds should look for their Joshua.

Again, I hope I'm wrong and we beat the Giants. I'm not rooting against Dusty. He's the manager of my team. However, To me, this rotation does not make good baseball sense.

[HeatherC1212]

IIRC, Dusty has been on two year deals since he got here and he seemed all right with that so why would now be any different? I don't think he wants to leave so I will not be surprised if he's back next year. I think he waited until the off season to sign his last deal too so none of this is really too surprising for me at the moment. Let's just wait it all out.

Reds win game one so that has to help a bit!

[mattfeet]

With Francona taking the job in Cleveland, Im now terrified what might happen if Dusty *doesn't* return.

-Matt

[vaticanplum]

Originally Posted by HeatherC1212

IIRC, Dusty has been on two year deals since he got here and he seemed all right with that so why would now be any different?

He's finishing up a two-year extension but his original contract was for three years (2008-2010). I can see him making the argument that he warrants no less than three years now.

[757690]

With his health issues, I could see both sides going year to year from now on.

[757690]

If Dusty does step down as manager, I think there's a chance Cast and Walt convince TLR to come out of retirement.