Nationals close to making Baker new manager

The Nationals appear to be on the verge of hiring Dusty Baker as their manager after what seems to be a quick change of course.

Baker and the Nats are said to be close to a deal for the veteran manager to replace the fired Matt Williams after it seemed last week that former Padres skipper Bud Black would be getting the job.

There is no word yet from the Nationals or Baker, and it may be dangerous to declare the competition for the job over after reports circulated last week that Black was the guy. But the Nats, now focused solely on Baker, have offered him the job with a multiyear bid after breaking off talks with Black, the only other finalist.

The Nationals are said to expect Baker to accept the offer.

It was first reported on CBSSports.com on Monday night that the Nats had turned to Baker.

The quick switch to Baker is an interesting one, especially after the perception that Black had the job. Some are saying now that while Black had been offered the job and accepted it as a concept, apparently the sides never came to a financial agreement.

The Nationals and Black began exchanging proposals last Thursday and continued to do so into the weekend, but by Monday the Nats were refocusing their attention on Baker. There is clear incentive now to get this done with Baker, who is said to have impressed Nats people in two interviews, after the Black talks blew up.

Word is that the Nats tried a real lowball offer on Black initially, first floating a one-year deal, perhaps with options. Bob Nightengale of USA Today, who reported talks with Black are over, said the first offer was for $1.6 million for one year. Black was hoping for a three-year deal, which is pretty standard for an experienced hire.

The Nats have a history of paying managers lower-than-standard salaries. Some Nats people preferred Baker from the start, and it is believed he will be paid more than they offered Black, though terms of the offer to Baker are not yet known. Baker made about $3.5 million annually in his most recent job with the Reds, though it is expected the Nationals would never go that high.

Baker is said to have sold Nats people on his interest in finally winning the World Series after coming very close in 2002 with the Giants and also making the playoffs with the Cubs and Reds. Baker is perceived as having excellent rapports with stars after doing a nice job handling Barry Bonds, then Sammy Sosa, and the Nats have a great young player in Bryce Harper. Baker, 66, has a history of being beloved by players.

The Nats job interested Baker last time, and then again this time, as they are a team that is ready to win but seems to annually disappoint compared to expectations.

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo and Baker didn’t return messages.

Former Giants, Cubs and Reds manager Dusty Baker could be the Nationals’ next skipper. (USATSI)

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