Dusty Baker will be the new Nationals manager. (Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE)
The Washington Nationals have a manager, but it turns out top candidate Bud Black was just passing through, with Dusty Baker set to be formally introduced as new skipper this week.
Black agreed to become manager when general manager Mike Rizzo offered the job last Wednesday. But when negotiations began and terms and finances fell short of Black’s expectations, Rizzo turned to his other finalist.
Baker, the former San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds manager, agreed to a two-year deal and will replace Matt Williams.
Baker last managed in 2013, and he was fired three days after the Reds lost the National League wild-card game to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Nationals offered Black the job last week and he accepted, according to the Washington Post. USA Today reported the team extended a two-year offer worth less than $2 million total. The deal was “considerably lower than he anticipated,” USA Today said, adding that new Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly will make $10 million over four years.
Black managed the San Diego Padres from 2007 through part of 2015. He compiled a 649-713 mark.
Baker has a 1,671-1,504 managerial record spanning 20 years.
