The Cincinnati Reds announced Friday that manager Dusty Baker will be replaced, according to sources. The news comes three days after his team lost the National League wild-card game to Pittsburgh. Reds general manager Walt Jocketty had said in the aftermath of the 6-2 loss to Pirates Tuesday that he “thinks” Baker will be back.
The 64-year-old Baker had one season left on a two-year contract he signed last October. Baker led the Reds into the playoffs three of the last four years.
Cincinnati went 90-72 this season and finished third in the NL Central behind St. Louis and the Pirates. Baker has managed 20 years in the majors with San Francisco, the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati.
The top in-house candidates to replace Baker are pitching coach Bryan Price and Triple-A manager Jim Riggleman. Riggleman managed Washington Nationals (2009-2011), the Seattle Mariners (2008), the Chicago Cubs (1995-99) and the San Diego Padres (1992-94).
