The Cincinnati Reds were one of the best teams in baseball this season, but after getting eliminated in the playoffs, some tough questions were brought up.

Could the young team pull together and get over the loss before next season? And more importantly, would manager Dusty Baker be back? Reds management answered that question on Monday, announcing a two-year contract extension for Baker.

"This is Dusty's team," said Reds owner Bob Castellini to the Associated Press. "These fellas are poised to go deeper and deeper in the season. To not bring Dusty back or not ask Dusty to come back was out of the question."

The team has won the NL Central division two of the last three years and had the second-best record in baseball this season.

Even though the San Francisco Giants rallied together to sweep three games in Cincinnati to send the Reds home for the playoffs, Castellini felt Baker had a chance to bring them further next year. Last week, with the question of his return still up in the air, Baker pondered his future.

"I'm not sure where my career is going here in Cincinnati," Baker said. "We're going to talk about that in the next couple of days. But I'm not through managing yet. I have more to do."

The sweep gave the Giants confidence heading into the next round and denied the Reds their first home playoff win since 1995.

"It's very much the same contract and very much the same thing for all of us up here: There's work left to be done," Baker said. "I didn't want to leave on a note that we still have work to do. I don't want to leave in a situation where for the rest of my life I would have regretted not coming back with unfinished business. It would have left a real pain in my heart to feel the way I did at the end of the season."

Baker did a great job this season dealing with injuries, including to closer Ryan Madson and superstar first baseman Joey Votto.

"We're moving in the right direction," general manager Walt Jocketty said. "We're trying to build a team that will be in contention for a long time and win multiple world championships. One of the things we feel is very important is continuity.
Baker dealt with heart and health issues this year, missing 11 games due to a mini-stroke. Over the past three seasons Baker has led the Reds to 269 wins, the most since the 1970s. According to ESPN.com, it's the most wins since "Sparky Anderson managed the Big Red Machine to World Series championships in 1975-76."

"Really his health was never an issue with us and him," Jocketty said. "The doctors in Chicago and Cincinnati gave him a clean bill of health and said he'd have a total recovery. We've seen a quick recovery. Look at him now -- he looks happier and stronger than he was even months ago."

Baker was manager of the Chicago Cubs until 2006, when the team allowed his contract to expire he was replaced by Lou Pinella the next season. In 2007 he was hired by the Cincinnati Reds, leading them to records of 74-88 and 78-84 in 2008 and 2009.

In 2010 Baker had his best year with the Reds since arriving, leading the team to a 91-71 record and an NL Central division title. The team made the playoffs for the first time since 1995, but was swept by the Philadelphia Phillies in three games.

According to Sports Illustrated writer Tom Verducci, Baker is one of 20 managers with 1,500 wins, but he has also managed multiple teams that collapsed. As written by Verducci, Baker was "up 5-0 with eight outs to go to win the 2002 World Series, Baker's Giants lose Game 6 to the Angels and then also lose Game 7."

The team itself has many questions, especially after collapsing right at the end of the year. The team has $225 million invested in first baseman Joey Votto and third baseman Scott Rolen was hurt most of the year.

"I envisioned sustained success, and I think that's what people may tend to overlook -- ownership's commitment to being better not just for a year but for years," right fielder Jay Bruce said. "I think these days, the way that contracts and free agencies have gotten, you have to do it the right way or it's tough to sustain success over a period of time. I think that the Reds' ownership has done that, and I'm happy to be part of it."

Throughout his years as a manager Baker has been criticized for overusing pitchers, but he has done an excellent job in that area for Cincinnati.

Baker worked out control issues with Aroldis Chapman in the bullpen and helped him to become one of the most effective closers in baseball. He also gave Homer Bailey the opportunity to pitch with more freedom, resulting in a no-hitter during the last week of the season.

Even though the Reds lost to the Giants, there is optimism with the team due to its young roster and hunger for success.

"I can't wait for spring training," Baker said. "I feel excellent. I feel I have most of my strength back."