12:00 p.m.
Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Walt Jocketty has announced the team will make a managerial change heading into the 2014 season.
The new manager will replace Dusty Baker, who went 509-463 in his 6 seasons in Cincinnati. There was no announcement regarding changes on the coaching staff.
“This was a very difficult decision to make. Dusty played an important role in the recent success of this organization, and we thank him for his contributions during his time here,” Jocketty said. “We feel a change is necessary, however, if we are to continue to move the organization forward.”
Baker, 64, originally was signed by the Reds to a 3-year contract in October 2007.
10:00 a.m.
According to sources, Dusty Baker is managed his last game as Reds manager. The Associated Press had the first reports, and then Reds beat writer John Fay confirmed via twitter:
Confirmed: Dusty Baker is out as #Reds manager.
— John Fay (@johnfayman) October 4, 2013
Baker posted a record of 509-463 in six years as the manager. He led them to two NL Central titles and, with this year’s wild card loss, he took them to the playoffs three times. However, his performance in the postseason has been criticized by some in Cincinnati, and the Reds have yet to win a playoff series under him. They are 2-7 in the playoffs in that time.
His pending termination has yet to be confirmed by the General Manager Walt Jocketty and the Reds.
More on this story as it develops.
