The Washington Nationals fell short in the postseason once again, so the club is looking to make some changes for 2018.
According to Chris Cotillo of SBNation, the Nats announced that Baker will not return as manager next season.
This ends a two-year run for Baker at the helm. He oversaw back-to-back 95-win campaigns for Washington, which won the NL East during both years.
However, the team failed to advance past the National League Division Series. The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Nats in 2016, and they fell to the Chicago Cubs in 2017.
Washington also lost in the NLDS during the 2012 and 2014 campaigns, so the organization is desperate for more success.
The move comes as a bit of a surprise, considering Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reported “most people around the team” expected Baker, who wanted “another crack,” to return next season.
Baker, 68, could be hired elsewhere. In fact, two teams within Washington’s division — the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets — both have vacancies. The Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox have already settled on new bench bosses.