Houston, Texas– The Houston Astros defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 on Saturday night to clinch their second World Series championship in franchise history. Much like any other offseason, the Astros have some decisions to make, and perhaps the most important has already been made.
Astros’ owner Jim Crane met with manager Dusty Baker on Monday before the Astros World Series parade to discuss whether or not Baker would be back for the 2023 season. After a relatively short discussion, roughly 15 minutes, according to Crane, the two agreed on a contract for the 2023 season.
Dusty Baker will return to manage the Astros on a one-year deal, with no further details about the contract given.
Baker will enter his third year with the club, his third consecutive one-year deal signed since joining the Astros back in January of 2020 during the aftermath of the sign-stealing scandal, which led to former manager A.J Hinch being relieved of duties.
During his tenure with the Houston, Dusty has managed the team to two American League pennants and their second title in franchise history. “We’ve got a great nucleus, and we’ve got a great young pitching staff,” said Baker, “This is what I like to do, and this is what I was called to do. I think God brought me here to Houston to do this.”
This move certainly won’t be the Astros’ last this offseason, as the uncertainty of general manager James Click’s future in Houston still looms large, along with the pool of free agents that Houston could go after this winter.
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