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Dusty Baker’s Hiring Proves Washington Nationals Aren’t Championship Organization

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Dusty Baker

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Last week, reports surfaced that the Washington Nationals had decided on former San Diego Padres manager Bud Black as the team’s next manager. Black was the perfect hire for the Nationals, because he is a former pitching coach who has managerial experience and would understand how to run a bullpen which was Matt Williams‘ biggest downfall.

According to reports, Black accepted the job on Wednesday, prior to contract discussions. On Thursday, the Nationals offered Black a one-year deal worth a reported $1.6 million. For the Nationals to offer an experienced manager a one-year deal is a slap in the face to begin with, but for the contract to be worth under $2 million is an absolute joke. Black rightly rejected the deal.

Following Black’s rejection, the Nationals re-opened talks with Dusty Baker, who had already been interviewed for the job. The former Cincinnati Reds manager accepted the job on Monday night, and Baker and general manager Mike Rizzo were reportedly spending Tuesday discussing who would fill out the rest of the staff.

While Black’s strength is with the pitching staff, Baker’s biggest criticism over his career has been his willingness to run up his starters’ pitch counts. He receives a lot of the blame for injuries to Kerry Wood and Mark Prior while he was with the Chicago Cubs, however fair or unfair that might be.

With the Nationals’ blatant disrespect for Black and the hiring of Baker, who has likely seen the game pass him by, the front office proves once again why the Nationals are still worlds away from competing for a World Series title.

Jason Fletcher is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonFletcher25, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.

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