DJ: Slump jeopardizes Baker's leverage

CINCINNATI - Their recent spate of nettlesome one run losses, that Dusty Baker blithely dismisses as "just one of those nights," have become a major concern for long time Reds watchers.
 
And even as Dusty presses his case for a contract extension, you have to know that he knows the team's current West Coast road trip could go a long way toward determining whether that happens at all, let alone in a time frame that suits him.
 
Baker, whose contract expires after this season, has made no secret of the fact that he wants some job security. That is understandable. He got his current deal after their run to the division title in 2010. He feels the team has made strides toward getting back to the playoffs and wants to be rewarded accordingly. With that he has reportedly brought his quest to Reds President Bob Castellini more than once. But so far nothing to suggest that he's any closer to a new deal.   
 
This current swoon, they are 4-6 in their last 10 games, has seen what had been a 5 game hold on first place, melt into a 1 game deficit behind the now first place Pirates.
 
Should they run the table on this road trip? No problem. He'll be justly rewarded some time after they return from the All-Star break. Should their slump continue, well. What's that old saying, "Don't buy any green bananas."