When you’re the rookie general manager of a franchise that hasn’t won a World Series since 1908, you might be willing to do something out of the ordinary. So rather than hire the first strong managerial candidate he interviewed, Jim Hendry decided to wait. And wait.
And now it looks as if that patience is going to pay off.
Dusty Baker, the man of a million friends and three manager of the year trophies, became a free agent Wednesday night after 10 seasons in San Francisco.
Baker’s agent, Jeff Moorad, had expected the Giants to offer a new contract Wednesday morning. But the Giants decided against it, citing hurt feelings and a fractured relationship beyond repair.
Seattle Mariners general manager Pat Gillick said Wednesday night that the team has no plans to pursue Baker for its vacant managerial job.
“We’re not interested,” Gillick said.
But the Cubs, who have had no direct contact with Baker, will actively pursue him. Sources say Hendry plans to contact him Thursday morning.
While Moorad said it was possible Baker would take time off rather than return to the dugout next season, “his preferred option is to continue managing.”
What about managing the Cubs?
“I’ve seen the press reports like anyone else,” he said. “To the extent that they have serious interest, we’re ready to listen.”
So what will it take to lure Baker to Wrigley Field, historically a burial ground for managerial careers?
Baker obviously is in store for a substantial raise over his 2002 salary, which was about $2.65 million. Sources say the Cubs might be willing to go as high as
$4 million per season to sign him.
Months of verbal sparring between Baker and team owner Peter Magowan finally took its toll. Recent negotiations between Moorad and Giants GM Brian Sabean amounted to little. Sabean bristled at a suggestion he had essentially fired Baker by not offering a contract.
“We’re not firing anybody,” he shot back. “Within the exclusive negotiating window, we could not come to an agreement. Did I have to pull the plug at some point? Yes.”
