CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Reds have fired manager David Bell.
Despite being signed to an extension last season, the club announced the firing of Bell on Sunday following a disappointing 2024 season that saw the team miss the playoffs.
Bell has served as manager since 2019 and was given a three-year contract extension through 2026.
Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall said during a Monday press conference that when they signed Bell to the extension, he thought the team was headed in the right direction, but after reflecting on the 2024 season, "I thought we should have been better," Krall said. Krall later added that the team "underperformed" and that some young players "took a step backward" this season. He cited "philosophical differences," "inconsistencies" and a lack of discipline at times this past year.
As a result, Krall said the team decided over the past couple of months that it needed to move in another direction.
"Everyone in this organization needs to be better, myself included," Krall said.
Krall thanked Bell for his contributions, calling him one of the "nicest" and "most genuine" people he's worked with in Major League Baseball.
He said the team is looking for someone to lead the clubhouse and develop young talent so that the team can play to its full capability.
Krall said the decision was made now so that the team has an opportunity to interview all available candidates while on the last road trip of the season as opposed to waiting for the offseason.
Bench coach Freddie Benavides will serve as interim manager for the Reds' final five games of the 2024 season.
The Reds also fired game planning/infield coach, Jeff Pickler.
The Reds arguably over-performed in 2023, finishing above .500 at 82-80 and having a late-season shot at a Wild Card spot in the playoffs. Krall's issue with 2024 is that progress wasn't made. With five games to play, the Reds are 76-81, and despite the losing record, have scored more runs than their opponents.
