Baker? Poor Homer

[HaRdCoReBrAvEsFaN]

Dusty could soon become the leading choice to take over in Cincy....Bailey fans better watch out...

Link:
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7323872

[C-Dawg]

Why would they not stay with the interim manager who had some success after taking over mid-season?

[McCarroll21]

When I heard about him going in to interview, I had the same two thoughts.


There goes Homer Bailey's career.
Weren't they pretty good with their interim manager?

[Rafiki]

But if you go with a big name manager, it automatically adds ten wins. At least that seems to be the theory.

[BGarrett7]

With Narron: 31-51 (.378)
With Mackanin: 41-39 (.513)

After Narron's firing, pitching got worst, hitting got much better.

[JCStone7]

With Narron: 31-51 (.378)
With Mackanin: 41-39 (.513)

After Narron's firing, pitching got worst, hitting got much better.

What was Narron's record as the interim manager?

[BGarrett7]

What was Narron's record as the interim manager?When Narron took over for Dave Miley in '05, the Reds went 46-46.

[JCStone7]

eh, I thought it was better than that

[cjones1999]

If I were Homer, I'd wanna get away from there ASAP.

[Tictac]

If I were Homer, I'd wanna get away from there ASAP.
Sooo, what's this whole deal with Dusty Baker and Homer? Please enlighten the unenlightened. :P

[JCStone7]

Sooo, what's this whole deal with Dusty Baker and Homer? Please enlighten the unenlightened. :P

Dusty Baker was blamed for ruining the careers of Mark Prior and Kerry Wood in 2003 due to overworking them.

[Tictac]

Dusty Baker was blamed for ruining the careers of Mark Prior and Kerry Wood in 2003 due to overworking them.
Oh okay. Thanks for informing me. :)

[JCStone7]

Oh okay. Thanks for informing me. :)

That's what I'm here for :)

[JCStone7]

It's become official. Dusty Baker is the new manager of the Reds according to ESPN

[Hobbes]

Well they said they wanted a high-profile manager. They didn't say they wanted a good one.

[lmartin6]

It's become official. Dusty Baker is the new manager of the Reds according to ESPN

That's great news. I've been so tired of hearing his oh-so excellent "expert analysis"

[BGarrett7]

I can't wait to hear about how Adam Dunn's .380+ OBP is clogging up the basepaths.

[broke]

signing big name managers = fans believe organization is trying to win which = butts in seats = $$$

[milbraves]

Well they said they wanted a high-profile manager. They didn't say they wanted a good one.

Alot of people said the same about Lou Piniella a year ago and he managed to have a pretty successful year.

Besides, Baker's teams have made the playoffs four times since 1993, which is pretty impressive with the Giants/Cubs lineups that he had. That's probably why he was named NL manager of the year in '93, '97, and '00.

The Prior, Wood and Baker situation seems way blown out of proportion. Even if their collapse was entirely because of Baker's overworking them, it's certain that Cincinatti won't let that happen with Homer Bailey.

[vnodnarb]

Alot of people said the same about Lou Piniella a year ago and he managed to have a pretty successful year.

Besides, Baker's teams have made the playoffs four times since 1993, which is pretty impressive with the Giants/Cubs lineups that he had. That's probably why he was named NL manager of the year in '93, '97, and '00.

The Prior, Wood and Baker situation seems way blown out of proportion. Even if their collapse was entirely because of Baker's overworking them, it's certain that Cincinatti won't let that happen with Homer Bailey.

Well, I think we can all agree we'd rather have him managing than announcing games.

[milbraves]

Well, I think we can all agree we'd rather have him managing than announcing games.

absolutely!:beer:
(dusty was certainly never named announcer of the year)

[StatBending]

I am also thrilled that I don't have to listen to Eric Byrnes on Fox. Those two made it hard to watch the games for me.

[Englishteacher]

Well, I think we can all agree we'd rather have him managing than announcing games.
Then, can we get a major league manager's job for Tony Gwynn? He was a great player, but I can't listen to him.

[JCStone7]

I think they should switch Ripken and Gwynn, let Rip be the color man and let Gwynn put his two cents in every now and then at network control.

[Hobbes]

I think they should switch Ripken and Gwynn, let Rip be the color man and let Gwynn put his two cents in every now and then at network control.
I don't think Ripken is interested in a booth job.

[milbraves]

Just saw Dusty analyzing for ESPN. He says he would start Beckett tonight, and i couldn't help but think "of course you would, you're dusty baker"

[JCStone7]

Now this (http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/621833,CST-SPT-dusty26.article) is just to funny.

[McCarroll21]

I know this isn't the point of the article you posted a link to, but just seeing this in there makes me drool a little...

Wood, 30, is eligible for free agency after completing a one-year, $1.75 million deal with the Cubs this season. He came off the disabled list Aug. 3 and went 1-1 with a 3.33 ERA in 22 outings as a middle reliever. If the right-hander wants to return to a starting role, he likely would have to do that elsewhere.

Prior, who missed the entire 2007 season after undergoing shoulder surgery, is eligible for salary arbitration. Prior, 27, made $3.575 million this season and couldn't be paid less than $2.86 million next season because major-league rules forbid cutting a controlled player's salary more than 20 percent.

Because he hasn't pitched in more than nine major-league games in a season since 2005, it's likely the Cubs will non-tender Prior, making him a free agent.I'd give anything to sign Wood to an incentive laden deal and let him be that guy to start when the inevitable happens and Hampton goes down ... or even make the rotation out of Spring Training if we don't bring in another starter [though I am confident that we will].

Prior, such a talent and if they non-tender him we'd be fools to not line up at his door and try to offer him something in the form of a one year contract with an option. That would allow us to start him in the minors as he rehabs and then we could bring him up when the time is right or execute the option if things look to be headed there.

[BGarrett7]

I fully support going after Wood and/Prior if the Braves can sign them to heavily incentive-based deals for a couple million dollars. They are both very risky investments, but could prove to be excellent risks if they are even able to reclaim 70% of what they were at their peak.

If the Braves can throw a couple million dollars at the likes of Woodward, Redman, Craig Wilson, Julio, Mondesi, Albie Lopez, etc. why not do it for someone like Wood or Prior? The upside to either of those two is much higher than anyone they've thrown a couple million at over the past decade. And if worse comes to worse, and they aren't able to even take the mound in 2008, it's not like we're out nearly $10M like with Hampton.

[KB 34]

I would love to get one of Prior/Wood for cheap to compete for the #4/5 rotation spots. If one of them recovers, the Braves have 3 potential aces for the price of two potential aces. If not, they cost next to nothing so who cares? It's better than spending over $2 million on Woodward, Sturtze, and Redman.

[JCStone7]

I agree with B, especially if it's incentive laden deal. If you spend a couple mill on the likes of Craig Wilson, Chris Woodward, and Mark Redman in which all three of them combined don't hold a candle to what Prior or Wood could do for you.

[HaRdCoReBrAvEsFaN]

Heck I'd love to sign both....If both are healthy and only 1 of them is needed to start then Prior could possibly start, and Wood could be an awesome setup man if healthy...and if 2 SP's are needed both could start...

[SamtheBravesFan]

I can believe that Prior could be signed to an incentive-laden deal, but I'm a little skeptical about Wood. I understand that he doesn't have much leverage to ask for more money, but he had made decent progress as a reliever this past year. Plus, I think Cubs Nation would tear down Wrigley Field if Prior AND Wood got away after they had invested so much hope in them.

[MSU Bulldog]

What makes you think they wouldn't be happy to be rid of them. I'm sure they have tired of the numerous comeback attempts after each one of them teased them with greatness. At this point, they may just be willing to move on. The Cubs new ownership probably doesn't want to throw any of their money at those problems. Not unless they have stock in Dr. James Andrew's practice!

[McCarroll21]

I think Cubs fans think of Prior and Wood much like we think of Hampton.

[SamtheBravesFan]

I think Cubs fans think of Prior and Wood much like we think of Hampton.

Man, I feel like I'm quickly becoming the most ignorant person on this board. :o

I could believe that, but I'd also like to know how likely it is that either of them would be signed by the Braves.

[McCarroll21]

Naa... don't feel that way. In your short time here, you've had some very good posts.

How likely it is to sign them, probably not good as we would likely look to bring them in on a "tryout" type deal when some other team will throw loads of cash based on potential.

[SamtheBravesFan]

Naa... don't feel that way. In your short time here, you've had some very good posts.

How likely it is to sign them, probably not good as we would likely look to bring them in on a "tryout" type deal when some other team will throw loads of cash based on potential.

Well, I appreciate that. :)

Today's trade for Hernandez and Jurrjens makes it likely that the Braves will only get one of Wood or Prior if they decide to go that route.