Nationals, Dusty Baker in talks after Bud Black deal hits snag

Bob Nightengale | USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Nationals, in a stunning reversal, have offered Dusty Baker a two-year contract to become their next manager, ending negotiations with Bud Black, a person directly involved in the talks told USA TODAY Sports.

The person talked only on the condition of anonymity since the talks are ongoing.

Baker, who interviewed twice for the Nationals opening, was informed last week that he did not get the job. The job was offered to Black on Wednesday by Nationals GM Mike Rizzo, which he accepted, and negotiations began on Thursday. They never came close to reaching a deal.

The Nationals, according to a person with knowledge of the talks, originally offered Black a one-year deal for $1.6 million, and refused to guarantee more than two years. Black informed the Nationals’ ownership several days ago that he couldn’t accept a deal, which is considerably lower than he anticipated.

By contrast, Don Mattingly, who has less experience, just received a four-year deal for about $10 million from the Miami Marlins.

Matt Williams, who was fired by the Washington Nationals at the end of last season, received a three-year deal, and still will be paid $1 million in 2016.

Baker earned $4 million in the final year of his contract when he was fired in 2013 by the Cincinnati Reds. Yet, throughout most of his managerial career, Baker worked on two-year deals.

The hiring of Baker, 66, a three-time National League manager of the year winner who led three different teams to the postseason, would also spare Major League Baseball the embarrassment of not having an African-American manager for the first time since 1987.

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