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Reds’ Managerial Search Enters Second Round

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The Reds are well into their search for a new manager, as has long been anticipated. Interim skipper Jim Riggleman took over after Bryan Price was fired and was at the helm for most of the 2018 season, but the club is determined to consider an array of candidates before naming the next full-time dugout leader. As we did last year with other openings of this kind, we’ll use this post to track the early developments in the hiring process in Cincinnati.

Latest Update — Oct. 20

  • Per Fox Sports’ Jon Morosi (Twitter link), Giants VP of Player Development and former MLB third baseman David Bell is the now the favorite to be offered the job.
  • The Reds informed Jim Riggleman today that he will not return as manager, according to William Ladson on Twitter.

Earlier Update — Oct. 17

  • Ausmus and Girardi are also still under consideration, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (via Twitter). Both are slated for additional interviews, MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon adds on Twitter. It seems they’ll join Bell to make up a group of three finalists, per Jon Heyman of Fancred (Twitter link).
  • The Reds conducted interviews with the 12 candidates listed below and won’t speak with anyone else, per John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer. ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick tweets that there’s a growing sense that David Bell “has the inside track,” though he notes that Rocco Baldelli’s interview went “extremely well,” too, placing Baldelli “strongly in the mix.”

Click to view full overview of managerial search:

Have Interviewed

  • The Reds interviewed Rays bench coach Charlie Montoyo and Giants bench coach Hensley Meulens, Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
  • Rays major league field coordinator Rocco Baldelli met with the Reds representatives last week, making him the 12th candidate for the job in Cincinnati, Rosecrans tweets. The 37-year-old Baldelli, an outfielder with the Rays and Red Sox from 2003-10, has also served as a special assistant for baseball operations and a first base coach in Tampa Bay since his playing career ended. Baldelli is also a candidate in other managerial searches.
  • The Reds have interviewed Pirates bench coach Tom Prince, reports C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic (via Twitter). The 54-year-old appeared in parts of 17 seasons as a backup catcher between the Pirates, Dodgers, Twins, Phillies and Royals before retiring following the 2003 season. He began his coaching career as a manager on the independent circuit more than a dozen years ago and has been rising through the Pirates’ ranks since 2007, managing at multiple minor league levels before ascending to his current role of bench coach prior to the 2017 season.
  • The Reds have interviewed former Yankees manager Joe Girardi, Fancred Sports’ Jon Heyman reports.  Interim skipper Jim Riggleman and former Red Sox manager John Farrell have also sat down for interviews with the team, as have ex-Tigers skipper Brad Ausmus and Giants farm director David Bell.  “The strong belief for now” is that the Reds will hire one of Girardi, Riggleman, Farrell, Bell or Ausmus. Bell may be the favorite for the job, Heyman hears.
  • The Reds sat down with three current coaches recently as part of the interview process: bench coach Pat Kelly, third base coach Billy Hatcher, and first base coach Freddie Benavides. It’s not clear at this point whether any of the trio of former big leaguers is anticipated to have a real shot at the gig. Of the group, Hatcher has by far the most experience in a major-league coaching capacity, having put in nearly two decades with the Rays and Reds. Kelly had been the Triple-A skipper but came up to the MLB staff when Price was fired. Benavides, meanwhile, has been on the staff since 2016.

Not Under Consideration

  • Barry Larkin, the Hall-of-Fame infielder who currently works in a player development capacity in the organization, is not under consideration for the opening. Williams does note that Larkin “still has managing as a long-term goal.”
  • There was “some communication” between Dick Williams and Eduardo Perez, per Fay.  However, with the 12 candidates now known and no further interviews scheduled, it seems that the two sides never sat down for a more formal chat.
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Comments

  6. Lou Brown !

    Tire World. Lou Brown ? Yeah ? How would you like to manage the Indians next year ? Oh, I don’t know. Listen, there’s a guy on the other line about a set of white walls. I’ll have to call you later…

    4

  7. In 2017, Jared Sandburg took his prospect-laden Durham Bulls (AAA-Rays) to the International League championship.

    In 2018, Jared Sandburg took his roster full of AAA vagabonds (Rob Refsnyder was his clean-up hitter) to the International League championship.

    With Kevin Cash achieving almost god-like status in Tampa, there’s no chance for Sandburg to advance in his own organization. Sandburg is young, innovative (some attribute the whole “opener” thing to him; he used it in 2017), and, it’s reported, super-popular with his players. He balances metrics with “old line” baseball thinking.

    SOMEBODY’S gonna get themselves a heck of a young manger…..

    7

    • Sounds interesting! Look forward to seeing his name in the future and how it works out better than it did for Ryno!

  8. If not Wiggleman, look at someone young like Sandy Alomar Jr.

    He’s held multiple roles with the Indians, a lower budget team that successfully grooms young players. He’s been a finalist in a couple of hirings, think his time is now.

    1

  10. Sabo? Hal Morris? Bench? Reggie Sanders? Dibble? Belcher? Other former Reds?

  11. Have we gone too far with analytics? What the Reds need is a manager with real baseball savvy, not an actuary.

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    • I mentioned someone out of Tampa’s organization a few weeks ago. They’ve embraced analytics and it’s working.

      • Moneyball: great in theory but the A’s haven’t won anything with it.

        WAR: cute stat for millennials but once your done calculating it you lost the game and the other team’s pitcher has your girl.

        Analytics are fine just all roster and no balls.

        3

        • Sucks when you call someone out and you can’t differentiate “your” from “you’re”. May want to be quiet when adults are talking.

          Pretty sure you have no one’s “girl”. But congrats on dumbing down women.

          3

        • Enough with the grammar fascism! Spelling has absolutely nothing to do with mathematics, which is what baseball stats are. In reality, the people that tend to be statistical wizards can hardly spell their own name. So, go ahead and pat yourself on the back for pointing out that he used “your” instead of “you’re” and go back to your lonely existence of perfection high up on your pedestal of grammar knowledge.

          3

        • Houston Boston Chicago Cubs New York yankees. Teams that have embraced analytics

          Lots of recent championships in that group.

        • Definitely ignorant. But there are plenty of “old” folks out there that have evolved with the times.

          1

        • do you do anything but insult people or do you have anything to add? Iol such a smart guy

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      • I really don’t know. I think there needs to be a happy median between managing data and personalities. Kevin Cash does well with it as does the other upper level people in the Tampa organization. With the types of arms the Reds have an opener to get 3-9 outs is not a crazy idea. Dick Williams has mentioned this already so I’m surprised they aren’t combing the weeds a little harder to get an outside candidate.

    • Only if he HAD to bet on his team and not against them.
      Pete would get the most out of every player then.

      • I voted too early for the best name. Lizard King is pretty awesome too. One of my favorite lines from The Office.

        1

  15. Just my opinion but I don’t see a Reds/Girardi match here. Girardi is probably looking for more money and to be honest a better opportunity than the Reds.will offer. I could be wrong but just my opinion.

    2

    • I see your point. The Reds are currently not a good team and show few signs of being much better in 2019, especially considering their division. Cincinnati is neither a big market nor usually a big payroll club. Girardi is likely going to be interviewing elsewhere besides Cincinnati, and can anyone really make the argument that the Reds job is more attractive right now than any of the other current openings?

      1

  16. Ausmus is not better than Riggleman. Despite having a ring, Farrell is not better than Riggleman. Might as well let Riggleman manage for another season.

    1

  17. It’s going to be tough for the next few years for them to compete; Brewers are young, and have more coming….Cubs just have zillions…..Cards may wake up from their slumber….Pirates will always be a .500 team at worst…..

    Hire a young guy who can grow with (hopefully) an improved farm system…..worked for the Rays…..

  18. A name to maybe think about who was a former Reds player and has 1st base coaching experience is Skip Schumaker.

    1

    • Not a bad name…I think Bell gets this job. He’s been on their radar for awhile now.

  19. we can trade you clint hurdle for a young minor pitcher like we did with a coach we sent to Miami. You are not interested?? Then how about same bats and balls in return.

  21. They suck. Been a fan since the early 70’s, and they suck. Riggleman is not the answer for a team that’s putting 20,000 at best butts a night in the seats. I honestly don’t want Girardi, and he will likely go to the O’s now anyway. Considering everything, so far I like the names Bell or Hatcher. Bell has a great Cincy connection with his grandpa and dad both being former Reds (butts in the seats)and is young and can grow with the organization, and Hatch should be right beside him on the bench. My take anyway…it will however continue to be a Titanic Struggle until they get better results from that pitching staff…

  22. You would be the only one in Cincinnati that would go to a game because David Bell is manager lol

    • Right…lol…I get what you’re saying, but the Bell family is very popular here. It really all comes down to having the team show some progress at this point. Having a younger manager with local ties could help.

      • Unless a manager constantly goes out on the field and makes a ass out of himself no manager is going to bring people to the park.

        Unless Larkin is bringing a way to turn back the clock he won’t bring in more then say Ausmus.

        Want to fill the seats you need to win. Winning fills the seats and makes all involved look great. How else would baker be considered a good manager

    • They’re also for people who are smart enough to play ball and understand basic math. Seems you failed at both.

      “Which couldn’t play baseball” – was that your attempt at English?

      • SaberSmuckers,

        Seems all of your replies on this post are also those of someone possibly dissatisfied and bitter about their own life. None of these comments have been printed into the final essay of a college-level course, rather into an online sports rumor site. So, I ask, is your scrutiny warranted, appreciated or required, I say no, it is not.

        Please, find it in your heart to get over yourself, try to enjoy life and let others enjoy their lives. Remember that nobody is happy being in the presence of a crotchety, old windbag and stop!

        Regards,

        The World

        3

  25. Not sure how good he would be as a manager, but Eduardo Perez does a pretty strong impression of Pres. Obama

    1

  27. Edurado Perez???

    If his comments on ESPN are any indication, the Reds could as well pull someone from the stands or go with Karl Ravech.

    1

    • Girardi would be a great fit. I can’t see why he’d be a fool to take the job. The Reds have one of the best farm systems in baseball # 6 i believe. They have a very solid infield, one of the best in the MLB. The back end of their bullpen is also very strong. The 2 weaknesses are the Rotation, and the OF. With a Healthy Winker, and Senzel the OF shouldn’t be an issue in 19. The Reds have 2 or 3 solid starters, mid to back of the rotation guys in DeSclafani, Castillo, and maybe Mahle. If you add a top MGR like Girardi, and one of the top 3 FA pitchers, plus find another in a trade you will be looking at a very good team. If the Reds try and stay status quo, then yes, he’d be a fool to take that position.

      1

  30. Girardi? He couldn’t relate tot he young talent in NY or win for years with a good club. So overrated. Same with Ausmus good talent and a 500 team in Detroit. Just say no to old catchers

    • Girardi won the World Series in 2009, got to the ALCS in 2010, 2012, and 2017. Won NL manager of the year with the Marlins in 2007. What have the Reds done in the last 2 decades?

      3

  33. I’d shoot for one of the other vacant managerial jobs. So many things have to go right for the Reds to be a contending team in that division and their front office seems intent on butchering the rebuild every step of the way.

  38. Hey Reds go and get the Rooster. Jeff Bannister. Trust me on this one he’s the right man for the job. Freaking Daniels screwed the pooch by letting him go.

    1

  39. Redstockings should go with Girardi or Buck, offensively they are right there with a Corbin signing and another that would give them three starters and if they are bold enough to package Nick for a fourth they are right there.

    1

    • Cody reed might be a pitcher. Castillo at times looks like he is a good one. Seens like it’s the same story every year for the reds though. Highly regarded arms that are maddingly inconsistent or just not any good.

  40. Offense is potent, I’d look at Farrell as well go with proven winner, SABR mix with baseball savvy is the way to go if your not onboard with SABR your out the door these days. Hate shifts but it’s just how it is now.

  41. Mike Matheny would be my guess. Good luck with that Reds if you do hire him

  42. Wow, this is a really long thread. Lots of emotion here. Cash, Cora, Boone, are the next wave and I think things will tilt that way for a while. It will be Bell or someone in that age cohort. Perez is interesting, but his dad’s legacy in Cincy is too important to him to risk it by not succeeding there. The mold has been broken and I think teams with analytics in the front office will go with younger field managers. Dusty, Buck and Ferrell will be great as TV guys or on MLB radio.

  43. Reds getting Girardi would be great. But what about Marlins going for Victor Victor after trading Barraclough?

    • Agreed. I am floored that Farrell is even being considered let alone the front runner

      1

      • It’s hard to figure, JKB, and to think Farrell might be managing in the National League. I remain convinced the man does not understand the strategy behind a double switch.

        1

  45. Mike Matheny…591 wins to 474 lost games. Several playoffs….needs a strong pitching and bench coach

    • Managerial records are fine and all but do they really show what kind of manager you were? When you’re given a team that is consistently competitive you ought to have a good record. Kevin cash is sitting at 318-330 right now but I can bet quite a few teams would like to give him a call if they had the opp.

      2

    • I am sure their FO is thinking that if Riggleman was able to do what he did imagine what a good manager can do. I remember Riggleman with the Cubs. Granted that was decades ago but he was pretty bad all around.

  47. Ausmus knocks it outa the park in the interview process. Then, … well… it’s on the field. And it ain’t pretty.

  48. Sorry, I already see this search as an absolute failure. Kew Girardi was coming to the Reds, Bell I now see as unlikley, but more importantly they should have kept their entire process private including the names of those interviewed. Now they will be constantly second guessed with whoever they choose.

    • So you think Girardi is coming even though he withdrew his name? And you think Bell is unlikely? Well Titanic I expect we shall find out how your predictions went very very shortly. Like tomorrow or Monday.

  49. Looks like it’ll be Bell
    Wouldn’t be surprised if Matheny become bench coach

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