Dusty Baker Update: Former Astros manager exploring a return to the San Francisco Giants

Legendary MLB manager Dusty Baker is exploring a move to his old team, the San Francisco Giants, ahead of the 2024 season. The 74-year-old started his managerial career with the Giants in 1993 and was part of the organization for a decade before moving to the Chicago Cubs. Baker was the manager of the Houston Astros for the past four years and announced his retirement from the game after last season.

Baker joined 95.7 The Game's Jason Dumas and F.P. Santangelo on "Willard & Dibs" Friday to discuss his future.

"I'm actually talking to the Giants," Baker said. "I talked to Larry Baer the other day about the possibility of maybe even joining them and so we just have to see how things work out for all of us.

"They're preliminary talks. I'm waiting to talk to Farhan [Zaidi]. They do have a team here in Sacramento where I am, the River Cats team ... We'll see if we can work things out family-wise and time-wise and all kinds of ways. Like I said, we're just having preliminary talks. We'll see how things work out."

Dusty Baker started his career as a player in 1968 for the Atlanta Braves. He went on to play for the Dodgers, the Giants and the Athletics in a career that spanned almost two decades. He won the World Series once, made two All-Star appearances and won the NLCS MVP.

Despite an impressive playing career, Baker is better known as a manager, starting in 1993 with the Giants. After a decade as their skipper, he went on to manage the Chicago Cubs, the Cincinnati Reds, the Washington Nationals and most recently the Houston Astros.

He won his first World Series as a manager with the Houston team in 2022.

Where does Dusty Baker fit in with the San Francisco Giants?

The San Francisco Giants have already hired Bob Melvin to take the role of manager for the 2024 MLB season. They are now exploring ways to add Baker to a meaningful role in the organization.

Having announced his retirement from management just two months ago after leaving the Houston Astros, Baker could be valuable for the Giants in a variety of roles. It would not be a surprise if he chooses to take on a role as a special assistant or advisor to the management. They already have the likes of Willie Mays, Barry Bonds and Will Clark in similar roles in their front office.