The Cincinnati Reds announced the dismissal of manager David Bell on Sunday, just five games shy of the regular season’s end. This decision comes after a lackluster season in which the team, initially seen as playoff hopefuls, will miss the postseason for the tenth consecutive year.
At 52 years old, Bell had received a three-year contract extension in July 2023, following an encouraging performance that saw the Reds rise to contention after a challenging 100-loss season in 2022. With an exciting roster led by shortstop Elly De La Cruz and a promising group of pitchers, fans had high expectations for a potential run at the National League Central title.
Unfortunately, the Reds faltered this season due to a combination of injuries and underperformance, resulting in a disappointing 76-81 record and a fourth-place finish in the division.
“David provided the kind of steadiness that we needed in our clubhouse over the last few seasons,” said Nick Krall, Reds president of baseball operations. “However, we felt a change was necessary to propel the Major League team forward. We have not achieved the success we expected, and it’s time to focus on 2025.”
Bell, the son of former Reds star Buddy Bell, took the helm in 2019. His most notable achievement came in 2020 when the Reds finished 31-29 and reached the COVID-19-expanded postseason, but the Atlanta Braves eliminated them in the first round.
While De La Cruz emerged as one of the best players in baseball during his first full season and starter Hunter Greene developed into an ace, the team faced significant setbacks. Second baseman Matt McLain spent the season sidelined with shoulder and rib injuries. Third baseman Noelvi Marte received an 80-game suspension for PED use, while first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand played only 29 games. The Reds’ rotation also struggled, with Greene, left-handers Andrew Abbott and Nick Lodolo, and right-hander Graham Ashcraft all spending considerable time on the injured list.
In the wake of Bell’s departure, bench coach Freddie Benavides will step in as Cincinnati’s interim manager. Several candidates are already being considered for the permanent position, including Skip Schumaker, who is expected to part ways with the Miami Marlins at season’s end; David Ross, the former Chicago Cubs manager who played for the Reds; and Eduardo Perez, an ESPN analyst and former Reds first baseman, who is the son of club legend Tony Perez.
The Reds now look ahead, eager to turn the page and refocus their efforts on building a competitive team for the upcoming seasons.
