With the news that Dusty Baker will not return as Houston Astros manager in 2024, here are three potential replacements for the future Hall of Famer.
There have been rumblings all postseason that Dusty Baker would seriously consider retiring as Houston Astros manager. On Monday, minutes after Houston was eliminated in the American League Championship Series, it was reported by The Athletic that Baker had informed people close to him that he was stepping down.
I have not independently confirmed that. There is always a chance that Baker could have a change of heart and return to Houston. After all, considering the team's success under Baker, they would surely welcome him back with open arms. Perhaps he could view a disappointing Game 7 loss to the Texas Rangers as a sign that there is unfinished business.
But all signs point to Baker not returning as Astros manager in 2024 and that would mean the team would have an opening at the helm. And their job would instantly become the most attractive in baseball, ahead of a talented San Diego Padres team that just lost its manager Bob Melvin to the rival San Francisco Giants.
Here are three candidates to replace Baker in Houston.
Dusty Baker replacements: Joe Espada, Astros bench coach
Espada has been a managerial candidate for years and has interviewed for several different openings. He's viewed by those close to him as ready to manage a team and word is, the current-Astros bench coach impressed both the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs when he interviewed for their openings in years past.
Besides, Espada would be a natural fit for the Astros. He's been with the organization for years. He knows the organization – the front office, the players, scouts, etc. – and has relationships with them. It would be a seamless transition from Baker to Espada, who could then implement what he learned from Baker and previous manager AJ Hinch.
It's unclear if this is the direction the Astros will go in. But Espada would appear to be a strong candidate once again.
Dusty Baker replacements: Ron Washington, Atlanta Braves third base coach
There are few coaches more respected in baseball than Ron Washington, who previously was the Texas Rangers' manager before joining the Atlanta Braves as third base coach in 2017.
Washington is a players' coach. He works tirelessly to help them improve, with his pregame work on the field with players famous around baseball. It's helped Austin Riley become a Gold Glove defender at third base. It's helped countless players with the organization, and he's viewed as a key piece to what that organization has built.
But Washington is ready to manage again. In 2021, he told FanSided when asked about the possibility of becoming the Padres' manager: "I think I'm qualified. I think I can get that team over the hump. That's my thinking. … I'm definitely able to get them where they want to go."
Surely his thinking would be similar with the Astros and considering his previous time working with now-Astros general manager Dana Brown in Atlanta, Washington could be a name to watch here.
Stephen Vogt, Seattle Mariners bullpen and quality control coach
It's possible that the Astros may not even have the chance to interview Vogt, as he has emerged as a serious candidate to become the next Cleveland Guardians' manager.
But if Baker steps down as manager, and Vogt hasn't been hired anywhere yet, then the Astros would be wise to pounce and interview the longtime major-league catcher. He's long been viewed as a future star in managing and jumped straight into coaching after playing. He's interviewed for the San Francisco Giants' opening and has been considered for other jobs in previous seasons, too, according to major-league sources.
I have spoken with dozens of players and coaches over the years that believe Vogt will be a manager. He wants to manage, too. And it would be an upset if he isn't running a team in 2024.
