There are rumors swirling that the Nationals and Bud Black could not reach a deal, and Dusty Baker may get the managerial job in Washington:

While it has been widely reported that Bud Black was the guy, Baker is now very likely to be the one to succeed Matt Williams as Nats manager.

Nats people were said to be leaning toward Baker by late Sunday, though by that point multiple reports suggested the job was already Black’s. Black was given an offer several days ago, but word is, it was a very lowball bid, and the sides had been going back and forth since Thursday.

Black was said to still be in contact, exchanging proposals over the weekend with Nats people. However, there apparently was never agreement on a deal with Black, the ex-Padres manager.

This early leaking as fact seems to be more prevalent now. We saw this during the trade deadline with the Mets deal that fell apart. A deal isn’t a deal until it’s done.

Let me be a bit more cynical for a moment. Here’s what Baker said a few days ago in an article about the lack of African American managers in baseball:

“We’re in a very dangerous situation,’’ Dusty Baker, 66, told USA TODAY Sports, “because people don’t really worry about what’s right, what’s wrong, or what’s fair.

“I’ve been talking about this for minority thing for 40 years, and I hate even talking about it now, because all it is, is talk. Nothing’s changed. Who’s going to stand up and say anything about it now? Everybody is afraid to stand up knowing it could be costly to your job and family’’

There’s been a lot of press about this issue, and I wonder if someone higher up in MLB came down on the Nationals. This despite Baker’s history of racial stereotyping (or not).

Either way, the Baker hire doesn’t solve one criticism of Matt Williams, the handling of the bullpen. The Bartman game was lost because Dusty had no one warming up when Mark Prior got in trouble. He had done the same thing in San Francisco.

We’ll know soon enough if Black or Baker will be the manager. Dusty might not like the money offered either. I won’t be surprised if former Nationals coach Bo Porter winds up being the least expensive option.

Update: It’s a done deal, Baker is the manager:

?“I am so pleased to welcome Dusty Baker to the Nationals family,” Nationals president and general manager Mike Rizzo said in a statement. “In getting to know Dusty and identifying what we wanted in the next on-field leader of our team, we are excited to have him on board.

“Dusty’s experience, as a winning player, coach, and manager, is vast and varied. We are excited to bring him to Washington and put his steady demeanor, knowledge and many years in the game to work in our favor. I think I speak for the entire organization when I say I am very much looking forward to working with him.”

Okay then. I hope Lucas Giolito isn’t worried. 🙂