Ex-Giants, Cubs, Reds and Nationals boss to take over

Report: Astros to hire veteran Dusty Baker as new manager

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According to reports, the Houston Astros are hiring Dusty Baker to take over the vacant Manager's position with the club. Baker replaces A.J. Hinch, who was suspended one year by the MLB in conclusion of its sign-stealing investigation before ultimately being fired by owner Jim Crane.

Baker last managed for the Washington Nationals in 2016-17, going 192-132 in those two regular seasons, which was enough to win the NL East both times. However, he and that Nationals team were unable to make it past the divisional round in either year.

Baker has vast managerial experience, dating back to his 10-year run with the Giants starting in 1993. His overall record in his career is 1863-1636 for a .532 winning percentage. He has fared worse in the playoffs, combining for a 23-32 record in postseason play across his four teams.

He has been to the World Series one time in 2002 with the Giants where they would lose in seven games to the Angels. Baker is seen as somewhat of a controversial person in the baseball world, having received scrutiny over his years for over-using pitchers and being at the helm during some of the most notable collapses. In that 2002 World Series, the Giants took a 3-2 series lead into Game 6 and a 5-0 lead into the seventh inning of that game before allowing six unanswered runs before ultimately losing the series in Game 7.

Baker now gets the opportunity to manage a team full of talent, but with the challenge of trying to overcome the attention and ire of many in the baseball world.

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After another poor performance from former Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson, the Cleveland Browns' season is starting to look like an uphill climb. Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb is out for the year, and Cleveland fans aren't too pleased with the way Watson is playing, especially considering the massive contract extension he signed with the team. And we didn't even get to the off the field drama that comes with Watson.

However, Houston fans are invested in the Browns' season outcome as well, with the Texans holding the Browns' first round pick in 2024, and having sent their own first rounder to the Cardinals in the Will Anderson trade.

So each loss for the Browns, means a better draft pick for the Texans!

For Houston, it looks like they have their QB of the future in CJ Stroud. And he'll be on a less expensive rookie contract for the next several years, giving the Texans more cap space to upgrade the roster.

With all of this in mind, is it fair to question if the Texans dodged a bullet when Watson demanded a trade?

DeMeco Ryans vs. Lovie Smith

Plus, we're only two games into the season, but Lovie Smith's defense was much better (with a similar roster) than what DeMeco Ryans' defense has shown thus far, and DeMeco has the benefit of Will Anderson rushing the QB.

Are the struggles on defense more about the roster GM Nick Caserio has put together, or does this slow start fall on DeMeco?

Don't miss the video above as we break it all down!

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