The Reds have officially named David Bell as the new club manager for the 2019 season, according to a team announcement on Sunday. Bell signed a three-year contract with the organization and is slated to remain on staff through the 2021 season with a club option for 2022. A press conference will be held on Monday at 11:00 AM EDT to introduce the new skipper.
Bell, 46, beat out a slew of candidates that included former MLB managers Joe Girardi, Brad Ausmus, John Farrell and MLB coaches Hensley Meulens, Charlie Montoyo, Rocco Baldelli, Freddie Benavides, Billy Hatcher, Tom Prince, Tom Princes, and Pat Kelly. Following last week’s news that Girardi had voluntarily withdrawn from consideration, Bell appeared to be the clear frontrunner for the position.
Though Bell was also reportedly considered for managerial vacancies in the Blue Jays and Rangers’ orgs, Cincinnati presented more of a natural fit for the former third baseman. Not only was he born and raised in the city, but his grandfather, Gus, and father, Buddy, had each spent significant parts of their major-league careers with the Reds. Buddy currently serves as the Reds’ vice president and senior advisor to general manager Nick Krall.
Bell never played for the Reds during his 12-year career in MLB, but he later served as Double-A and Triple-A manager of their minor league affiliates from 2008-2012, when he racked up a 227-332 record with the teams. He later took back-to-back gigs as a third base coach and assistant hitting coach/bench coach for the Cubs and Cardinals, respectively, and spent his 2018 season in the Giants’ front office as VP of player development. He’ll replace interim manager Jim Riggleman, who was named to the position following Bryan Price’s dismissal in April.
