Report: Astros to invite Baker to return as manager in 2023
Despite not having a contract beyond this season, the Houston Astros are planning to invite manager Dusty Baker back to manage the club for the 2023 season, sources told the New York Post's Jon Heyman.
The Astros hired Baker before the 2020 campaign after firing manager A.J. Hinch for his role in the club's cheating scandal.
Baker, 73, has led the club to a 230-154 record and a trio of American League Championship Series appearances in his three seasons at the helm.
Despite not having a contract beyond this season, Baker is remaining focused on the club's current postseason run and keeping things in perspective.
"I ain’t worried. Worrying does no good," Baker said. "I believe the Lord will always take care of me. It’s been that way my whole life. I had cancer, then I had a stroke … then this job opened up."
Astros general manager James Click is also without a contract beyond this season, but there's less certainty he'll be asked to return, according to Heyman.
Click took over ahead of the 2020 season after the club also fired executive Jeff Luhnow for his role in the cheating scandal.
Team owner Jim Crane plans to address both Baker and Click's futures whenever the Astros conclude their campaign.
"I will make a decision after the season is over on both contracts," Crane told Heyman. "That has not changed."