When the Cincinnati Reds fired manager David Bell on Sunday night, it was the first step in a crucial offseason. Hiring a new manager is the first step in a busy winter that will determine how successful the team’s young core becomes.
“David has provided us with the stability we needed in our clubhouse over the past few seasons,” Nick Krall, president of baseball operations, said in a statement. “We felt a change was needed to move the major league team forward. We have not achieved the success we expected and must focus on 2025.”
Here are some potential candidates for the next Reds coaching position:
Former/current MLB managers
Scott Servais, former Mariners manager
The Reds and Mariners have crossed paths several times in recent years, making several trades, and strong recommendations from Seattle have helped outfield coach Collin Cowgill and assistant pitching coach Alon Leichman join the Reds’ pitching staff.
The philosophies of the two organizations have a lot in common, and Servais is a proven manager who was successful in Seattle. He is known for his good relationships with his players and has experience in player development as a farm director.
Servais was released this summer as the Mariners’ offense struggled to get out of a slump, but he has a career record of 680-642 in nine years in Seattle. He’s a former player with ties to the Midwest, and his experience managing Julio Rodriguez could benefit him when working with Elly De La Cruz.
Skip Schumaker, Marlins manager
The former Red will be in high demand in the MLB’s managerial free agent market this winter. The struggling Marlins had a terrible season, but he was the 2023 manager of the year.
Schumaker has a desirable combination of experience, communication skills, old-school feel and closeness to the players. His connections to the Reds are also a plus. Schumaker has enjoyed his time with the team and has several connections to Cincinnati.
Schumaker is in the final year of his contract with the Marlins and will have plenty of potential opportunities this offseason.
David Ross, former manager of the Cubs and catcher of the Reds
The Cubs parted ways with Ross last winter and replaced him with former Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell, who is considered one of the best managers in MLB. The Cubs were better in 2023 with Ross than they were in 2024 with Counsell.
Ross, another former Red, has already made one playoff appearance.
Other former managers: Phil Nevin, Don Mattingly, Brad Ausmus
Potential new managers
Nationals bench coach Miguel Cairo
Cairo, who played for the Reds between 2010 and 2012, ticks many boxes.
He has experience in player development. He is a former player who served as a clubhouse manager in Cincinnati. He has held a leadership role on a coaching staff for a time and has even stepped in as a manager. In 2022, he posted a winning record (18-16) as the acting manager of a Chicago White Sox team that was in trouble before he took over.
After Cairo’s resignation, he initially joined the Reds organization as a special assistant to the general manager.
Will Venable, Rangers assistant coach
Considered one of the big young names in the major leagues and winning a World Series ring last year, the nine-year veteran quickly moved into coaching after retiring, taking on leadership roles under standout managers such as Joe Maddon, Alex Cora and Bruce Bochy.
Other potential first-time coaches include Clayton McCullough, Dodgers first base coach, Kristopher Negron, Mariners first base coach.
Internal options
Reds interim coach Freddie Benavides
Benavides is one of the longest-tenured employees in the entire organization and received a special thank you from Joey Votto when the Reds legend announced his retirement. Benavides had such a huge impact on Votto’s development, and he’s doing the same with De La Cruz.
He is a direct, honest communicator who builds strong relationships and has an old-school feel.
Reds outfield coach Collin Cowgill
The trend in MLB is to promote young, former players to managerial roles. Cowgill’s influence was evident as he transformed the Reds into an aggressive base-stealing team, and his hands-on approach meant he quickly bonded with players when he joined the team last year.
Senior Advisor Barry Larkin
The Hall of Fame shortstop has spent the last decade in the Reds’ front office and the last four seasons as a sportscaster. Sources say Larkin is a bit of an outside candidate.
Other internal options: Bench Coach Jeff Pickler, Triple-A Manager Pat Kelly
