The Houston Astros had an unexpected managerial hunt to take care of this off-season after firing A.J. Hinch amid the infamous cheating scandal from their 2017 World Series season. Although, they were able to land a veteran to take over in the dugout, announcing on Wednesday that they are hiring Dusty Baker as their new head man. The contract is just a one-year deal and does include a team option for the 2021 season. He will be announced with the team on Thursday at Minute Maid Park.
The 70-year-old Baker now becomes the oldest manager in the major leagues, as he last managed with the Washington Nationals in the 2017 season. Since then, he has been working closely with San Francisco Giants CEO Larry Baer, which is the same organization that he won a National League Pennant with in the 2002 campaign. That was the furthest he has ever gone in the Postseason, despite ranking 15th all time on the wins list with 1,863 victories to go with 1,636 losses over his 22 seasons as a manager.
The Astros were forced to fire Hinch along with general manager Jeff Luhnow on January 13th after it was confirmed that the team stole opponents' signals the year they won the title. The team was also fined $5 million and forced to forfeit four draft picks, two in the first round and two in the second. The team used a center field camera to steal these signs, and it was former Astros pitcher and current Oakland Athletics pitcher Mike Fiers who revealed this allegation. The Astros were one of three teams forced to find a new manager following this situation, along with the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox are the only team left without a manager to this point.
In Other Baseball News.....
In other minor baseball news, the Red Sox did re-sign first baseman Mitch Moreland to a one-year deal, while the Chicago Cubs added Steven Souza Jr. and Jeremy Jeffress on minor league contracts. One injury note involves Cincinnati Reds slugger Eugenio Suarez, who underwent surgery for a shoulder injury. He is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season.
The 70-year-old Baker now becomes the oldest manager in the major leagues, as he last managed with the Washington Nationals in the 2017 season. Since then, he has been working closely with San Francisco Giants CEO Larry Baer, which is the same organization that he won a National League Pennant with in the 2002 campaign. That was the furthest he has ever gone in the Postseason, despite ranking 15th all time on the wins list with 1,863 victories to go with 1,636 losses over his 22 seasons as a manager.
The Astros were forced to fire Hinch along with general manager Jeff Luhnow on January 13th after it was confirmed that the team stole opponents' signals the year they won the title. The team was also fined $5 million and forced to forfeit four draft picks, two in the first round and two in the second. The team used a center field camera to steal these signs, and it was former Astros pitcher and current Oakland Athletics pitcher Mike Fiers who revealed this allegation. The Astros were one of three teams forced to find a new manager following this situation, along with the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox are the only team left without a manager to this point.
In Other Baseball News.....
In other minor baseball news, the Red Sox did re-sign first baseman Mitch Moreland to a one-year deal, while the Chicago Cubs added Steven Souza Jr. and Jeremy Jeffress on minor league contracts. One injury note involves Cincinnati Reds slugger Eugenio Suarez, who underwent surgery for a shoulder injury. He is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season.
