Baker might be the worst "sabermetric" manager of all time. Certainly that's not everything that goes into managing a team with that front office strategy, but he seems to be a relatively stubborn guy regarding his in-game managing philosphy. I think Beane would rather die than have this guy as his manager.

I suspect Billy Beane is choking on his cornflakes while reading this. Baker is precisely the kind of old-school, instinctive manager that Beane wants no part of. Can you imagine Dusty taking notes while Beane suggests strategy based on his computer data? Now, Baker has some strengths as a manager and he'll probably get another job, but they'll be playing hockey in Hell before the A's hire him.

Dusty's first day with the A's - "This Chavez guy doesn't bunt too well - is Neifi Perez available?" Oh yeah, and he'd have Antonio Perez starting at short. Jimenez would be playing left.

"On-base percentage is great if you can score runs and do something with on-base percentage. Clogging up the bases isn't that great to me."

-Dusty Baker

Yeah...Dusty isn't coaching the A's. Beane wouldn't give him a janitorial job with that mentality.

LOL...I am sitting ina coffee shop reading this, and I literally laughed out loud here.

There is no way that Baker coaches for a Billy Beane team.

Beane would also not pay the salary that Baker would demand.

I too would like to manage the A's, and I probably have a good a chance at landing that job as Dusty Baker does.

Consider:
1) A Billy Beane manager really doesn't have that much control of the team
(see David Pinto's previous few posts on this.)
2) The players seemed to motivate each other

Could we see a return of that old creature: the player-manager? Let the pitching coach handle the staff, have one of the players do the "managing", aided by the bench coach.
So who would get that job? Chavez?

but they'll be playing hockey in Hell before the A's hire him.

In case you missed it, Phoenix does have a hockey team!

A player manager is an interesting idea, although I think you'd want someone more part time than Chavez. Frank Thomas fits the profile for playing time and experience, plus, he seems to have been a good influence on Bradley this season. How about the Big Hurt for manager?

I'm glad to say that this is just crusty ol' Dave Newhouse spinning a fantasy.

I'd go with Thomas as player-manager.

I'm not sure if Hell, Michigan has a high school hockey team. There's probably been some pond hockey.

Baker's ability to develop young players (especially pitchers) ought to be a perfect fit for the A's.

I like the player-manager idea! That would be pretty cool. How does the rule about not walking out to the pitchers' mound twice work with a player-manager?

if the big hurt was player-manager you can bet he would be back in the 3 slot.

You know, if Beane can reign in Baker's bunt-happy and high pitch count ways, he would be nearly ideal. He does communicate exceptionally; players love playing for him. If he can do what BB wants him to, he wouldn't be such an "out there" candidate. Think about this too. He's no dummy, he has to know what prevailing wisdom says about Beane...