What Does This AL Team’s Vacancy Mean For The Guardians?

With another manager announcing his retirement, what could this mean for the Guardians vacancy?

After 26 years as an MLB manager, Astros’ Dusty Baker announced his retirement. This news came out shortly after the ‘Stros were eliminated from the postseason, just one win shy of reaching the World Series for the third straight year.

Baker spent his last four seasons with the Houston Astros — claiming two pennants and the 2022 World Series title. The title was Baker’s first as a manager, and his team had been primed to make one more run at it had they not been stopped by the in-state rival Rangers, who currently have a 2-1 series lead in the Fall Classic.

Now, with yet another vacancy for a managerial position in the American League, how could this impact the Cleveland Guardians' chances of claiming top talent for their own?

We’ve seen a few vacant positions get filled already — including the San Francisco Giants after Bob Melvin left the San Diego Padres and took the opening. Now, the Padres join the Astros and Guardians in their search along with the New York Mets and Los Angeles Angels.

There have been a few names floating around that the Guardians have been interviewing with recently, including being granted permission from the Milwaukee Brewers to interview Craig Counsell, and they’ve sat down with Stephen Vogt twice now. The front office had stated they composed a list of nearly 50 names once Terry Francona came to them about stepping away after 11 years.

Sep 30, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Cleveland Guardians manager Terry Francona (77) walks off the field during the fifth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports / © Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

With five current openings — each team has its merits to draw intrigue, but the club in Cleveland operates a little differently than the team that also needs a manager and boasts the highest payroll. It had been stated early in the process by the Guardians' president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti that they’d like to arrive at a decision as soon as they could.

“Ideally, as soon as possible,” Antonetti said. “But reality often conflicts with what would be ideal. … The most important thing is that we get to the right person. If we can do that quickly, great. If it takes a month or longer, then that’s the necessary timeframe.”

With the World Series underway, the conclusion of the 2023 baseball season is slated for November 4 should it go to seven games with Winter Meetings to follow a month later. Based on recent traction, you’d imagine the club could announce the new manager beforehand.