Reds expected to offer Dusty Baker a “short term” contract

There was chatter during yesterday’s Giants-Reds game that, seeing as though he’s only under contract through 2012 at the moment, it could be Dusty Baker’s last game at the helm in Cincinnati. Which, theoretically, could be his last game as manager.

Seems that isn’t the case, though:

Walt Jocketty will meet this morning w Dusty Baker and plans to offer short term contract #Reds

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 12, 2012

Baker’s last deal was a two-year deal, covering 2011 and 2012. The deal he had before that was a three-year contact. In August, the team’s president said he wants Baker in Cincinnati “for many years to come.”

Given the “short” talk here, it’ll be interesting to see if he merely gets a one-year extension. And, if he does, it’ll be interesting to see if he accepts it. The team has made long term commitments to Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips. Does it think that Baker is the guy to take them to the promised land?

The Yankees appear to have moved on from free agent Manny Machado this winter, but could they be turning their attention to Rockies superstar Nolan Arenado? That’s the idea floated by Andy Martino of SNY, who hears that GM Brian Cashman has been involved in recent discussions concerning the third baseman. No official comments have been made to the press yet, though, and it’s not clear whether the Yankees would prefer to pursue Arenado prior to the 2019 season or partway through it.

The 27-year-old infielder earned his fourth consecutive All-Star nomination, Silver Slugger, and Gold Glove award in 2018 after slashing .297/.374/.561 with 38 home runs, a .935 OPS, and 5.7 fWAR across 673 plate appearances. There’s no question he’s provided immense value to Colorado’s lineup over the last half-decade, and his consistency and incredible power at the plate helped form the basis of the record $30 million arbitration figure he presented to the team last week. The Rockies countered at $24 million, however, and in doing so may have jeopardized their chances of convincing the infielder to forego free agency in 2020 and take a long-term deal instead.

Assuming he declines to negotiate an extension with the Rockies, Arenado’s decorated résumé and career-best 2018 numbers should attract plenty of interest around the league — a reality that could put considerable pressure on the Yankees (or any other interested party) to finesse a deal sooner rather than later. For now, the club is prepared to enter the 2019 season with hot-hitting third baseman Miguel Andújar, whom Martino speculates would be the “centerpiece” of any trade with Colorado.