Dusty Baker headed to Reds as manager

Dusty Baker has agreed to become manager of the Cincinnati Reds, the Chicago Tribune has learned.

Baker has agreed to a three-year contract and is expected to be introduced at a news conference in Cincinnati on Monday.

Baker succeeds interim Reds manager Pete Mackanin, who took over for the fired Jerry Narron in June.

Baker managed the Cubs from 2003 to 2006 and won a N.L. Central title in his first season but was dismissed after the Cubs finished last in their division with 96 losses in 2006.

He was a three-time manager of the year during his 10 seasons with the San Francisco Giants and took the Giants and the Cubs to the postseason four times in all.

Since leaving the Cubs, Baker has worked as an analyst for ESPN and he is expected to remain with the network through the World Series.

Baker said he enjoyed his work with ESPN but wanted to give managing one more shot partly because of his disappointment over the way his tenure with the Cubs ended. He is known to be impressed with the number of promising young players on the Reds’ roster. But during the winter the Reds will attempt to upgrade their pitching.

Dick Pole, who was Baker’s bench coach with the Cubs, served as the Reds’ pitching coach this season and Baker is expected to retain him in that role.

Cincinnati finished 72-90 this season, 13 games behind the division-champion Cubs in fifth place in the National League Central Division.