Talking to Baker

I just got off the phone with Dusty Baker. I was lucky to get through.

"Man, this phone has been blowing up," Baker said. "My voice mail holds 29 messages. Every time I clear off 29, I get 29 more."

Baker is hearing from job seekers as well as people simply congratulating him. He's wrapping up putting his staff together. He wouldn't name names. "I don't want guys to read it in the paper," he said. But it will probably be done by tomorrow.

He did say talked to Rick Kranitz, the former Marlins pitching coach ended up going to Baltimore. That means Dick Pole, a long-time Baker staffer, could be be back in a position over than pitching coach.

"I talked to Kranny," he said. "I've talked to a lot of people. You want to make sure you get the right guys."

Former Atlanta pitching coach Leo Mazzone is out there.

I've got to give Richard Skinner credit for this one. He mentioned Dave Duncan's situation when I was doing a show with the Two Angry Guys. If Tony LaRussa decides to take a year off, Duncan may become available -- although he's under contract in St. Louis.

Baker reiterated that there will be some carry over from the current staff.

It sounds like hitting coach Brook Jacoby will probably be back.

"I read where Adam Dunn said he has four batting coaches in four years or something like that," Baker said. "You don't want that. It takes time to build trust. It's really a one- or two-year process. You don't want to start over."

Baker also alluded to bringing in "an infield guy."