Astros to hire Dusty Baker as manager

Dusty Baker is working to finalize an agreement to become manager of the Houston Astros.

The 70-year-old Baker would become the oldest manager in the big leagues. He would take over for AJ Hinch, who was fired Jan. 13, just an hour after he was suspended for the season by Major League Baseball for his role in Houston's sign-stealing scandal.

Baker's hiring would be a sign the AL champions want to bring an old-school mentality and stern presence to a franchise reeling from the dismissal of Hinch and General Manager Jeff Luhnow. Baker has 22 years of managerial experience, starting in 1993 with the Giants.

A three-time National League Manager of the Year, Baker last managed the Nationals, who let him go after a 97-65 season in 2017.

Since 2018 Baker has served as a special adviser to Giants CEO Larry Baer, working in both the baseball and business operations of the club.

Baker has compiled a 1,863-1,636 regular season record in a career where he spent 10 years with the Giants, four years with the Cubs and six seasons with the Reds before his two-year stint with the Nationals.

Baker had a 19-year major league career as an outfielder and was a two-time All-Star.

Former Twins infielder Eduardo Nunez is back in New York, this time with the Mets. The former All-Star infielder agreed to a minor league contract. Nunez, 32, has a .276 average with 58 homers, 309 RBI and 141 steals in 10 big league seasons with the Yankees (2010-13), Twins (2014-16), Giants (2016-17) and Red Sox (2017-19).

... The Giants agreed to terms with former White Sox second baseman Yolmer Sánchez. The White Sox starting second baseman the past three years, Sanchez was non-tendered this winter despite taking home the 2019 American League Gold Glove. He hit .252 with two homers and 43 RBI last year. ... Ryan Zimmerman and the Nationals finalized a $2 million, one-year contract. Zimmerman hit .257 with six homers and 27 RBI last season.

... Veteran reliever Jeremy Jeffress agreed to join the Cubs on a one-year, $850,000 deal. Jeffress went 3-4 with a 5.02 ERA in 48 games with the Brewers in 2019.

...First baseman Mitch Moreland is staying with the Red Sox, agreeing to a one-year contract that guarantees $3 million. The 34-year-old hit .252 with 19 homers and 58 RBI in 91 games last year.

Skiing: Henrik Kristoffersen overcame a big mistake in his final run to win a World Cup night slalom in Schladming, Austria, strengthening his lead in the overall and discipline standings. Alexis Pinturault, another contender for the overall title, was 0.34 behind in second, after the Frenchman failed to finish the previous two slaloms in Wengen and Kitzbuehel.