Washington Nationals: 5 managers who should replace Dusty Baker

If the Washington Nationals decide to part ways with Dusty Baker this offseason, they should strongly consider these manager candidates.

On Thursday night, the Washington Nationals ended their 2017 season in absolutely heartbreaking fashion. They battled hard throughout the series but came up just short, losing 9-8 to the Chicago Cubs in Game 5 of the NLDS.

This is the second year in a row that the Nationals won the National League East but then lost in the NLDS in a winner-take-all Game 5 matchup. If we go back to 2012, this is the fourth time that the Nats have won the East but lost in the NLDS. Absolutely brutal.

Washington undoubtedly has a ridiculously talented team and a front office that is not afraid to make the necessary moves to improve their ball club. That being said, they just cannot get over the hump in the postseason. The Nationals are far too talented to keep getting ousted in the first round year after year. Something needs to change.

With Dusty Baker’s contract expiring this offseason, finding a new manager to lead the team would make the most sense. Baker has had a lot of success in his career, but he has never been able to find postseason success. He is more of an old-school manager who has not really adapted to the recent changes in the game. Baker has not been a liability for the Nationals, but it is easy to see how they could upgrade at the position.

When it comes down to it, Dusty Baker is nothing more than an average big league manager at this point in his career. He has allowed the game to pass him by and the Washington Nationals are better off looking in another direction. If they move on from Baker, who would the Nats look to hire as their new manager? Let’s take a look at five promising candidates.