John Fay Reporting Reds will offer Dusty Baker A Contract Extension

• The Enforcer

  Heard this before the game started.
  
  If true, agree or disagree?
• justincredible

  

  As much crap as I've given Dusty in the past, I agree with the extension. While I don't think he is a great, or even good, in game manager it's clear he's a good motivator and the players love playing for him.
• Swamp Fox

  justincredible has summed it up for many Red's fans. I don't agree entirely with just in that I think Dusty is a pretty good baseball man and does make some moves that have worked out for the Reds this season. He also is one of the winningest managers currently working. therefore, I think that an extension and a nice raise is in order for Dusty for his fine season in 2010.
• wildcats20

  

  I'm OK with it.
  
  If they were to get rid of him, who out there would be better???
• dave

  I'd prefer to see them make the playoffs first. If not, go with Rick Sweet and take the extra 2mil and put it into the roster.
• Ironman92

  

  gotta make the playoffs to even consider IMO
  
  
  players do like and respect him (Paul Janish may disagree a touch) but he has been so idiotic in so many fashions
  
  I do not think he is a great motivator when it counts....I think he's too much kid-like during the happenings of the game.
  
  
  Mainly....he's been B- this year and that's fine with a good team....but I can't change my opinion on him because he's been OK for 4/5 of a season when he was D level for 2 years.
  
  I think when it matters most for his team he hasn't stepped up in the past and I see no signs of it if the Reds come to that situation.
• Nate

  Unfortunately, its a smart move. If they were to let him go, there isn't a better option out there.
• Ironman92

  

  I don't believe that statement.
  
  Tim K said this morning that it's unbelievable he hasn't been offered one yet.....Timmy K could not possibly grasp the the whole sample of what Dusty has done. He's quite excitable.
• Azubuike24

  

  Ironman92, I think you are preaching crazy talk.
  
  I don't care what Dusty has done in the past, this freaking team is 70-51.
  
  Before the season, everyone of us would've said if the Reds' record was that after 121 games, Dusty Baker could sleep peacefully without criticism.
  
  He isn't perfect, and by no means am I saying he deserves to be around for a long time because of this season, but saying he has to make the playoffs to even be considered is stupid.
  
  Lets be honest, if the Reds let Dusty go, they won't be replacing him with anyone better. Not only are there going to be too many jobs open, but there are going to be jobs open run by management who will invest a big chunk of money into their manager. The Reds haven't done that since I've been alive and it stretches even further back than that.
  
  With about 12-18 jobs slated to be open or under consideration for a change, I'd say the Reds would be about 14th or 15th on the totem pole as far as what money they would offer a potential candidate. With that said, they aren't going to upgrade over Dusty Baker regardless of whether you like him or not unless they hire someone unproven. Even then, the best unproven candidates would likely be more highly sought after financially elsewhere.
  
  Right now, I would not trade Dusty Baker for Tony LaRussa. And Tony is going to be a free agent and would definitely be linked to Cincinnati via WJ. Of course, with Walt as the GM, that may entice some people to look at the job more than usual, and you can't argue the talent a new manager would inherit, especially on the mound, but even then, I don't see them being a player for a top-notch candidate.
• dave

  Isn't Dusty about the 5th highest paid manager? With the talent on the 40 man and throughout the minors this is a job many would covet. No way 15 jobs are open and the Reds would hardly be near the bottom of the list.
  
  Would you be upset if this team went 1-5 in the next week then played .500 ball and missed the playoffs and Dusty signs the extension somewhere in that time?
  
  I'm not against bringing him back but he has to finish off what he has started this season IMO. My guess is they offered him a 1 yr deal but he wants a multiyear one.
• Azubuike24

  

  Dusty is in the final year of a 3 year, 10 million dollar deal. In-terms of overall dollars, I don't think it's in the top 5, I'd say maybe top 8-10 or so. My guess is it wouldn't cost any more per year to retain him, what he would want is likely a longer guarantee.
  
  My argument was that if they let Baker go after the season he has had, I just don't see them attracting someone clearly better. He might be different and fit the Reds' make-up better (as they continue to bring in younger guys), but I have a hard time saying they will definitely get an upgrade.
  
  And maybe 14th or 15th was a bit over the top, but when the managerial openings, I could definitely see them being middle of the pack in terms of attraction for a new job.
  
  Look at the possible openings though. You have to figure the Braves, Cubs, Cardinals and Dodgers in just the NL alone will be more sought after. In the AL it's a little more wide open, the same still applies.