The Reds Managerial Candidates

The news came out yesterday that Joe Girardi, David Bell, and Brad Ausmus are the three finalists for the vacant Reds job from the initial group of 12 that were interviewed. I'm not really surprised that those three are the finalists as they are probably the most high profile names of the group (aside from John Farrell). I also needed an idea for a blog post so I thought it'd be a fun exercise to explore the group of 12 the Reds interviewed to be manager.

Jim Riggleman

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MLB Managerial Experience: 13 years (San Diego 1992-1994, Chicago Cubs 1995-1999, Seattle 2008, Washington 2009-2011, Cincinnati 2018)

I'll start off with the incumbent, Jim Riggleman. He took over in April when Bryan Price was canned after a miserable 3-15 start and did fairly well. The Reds played very well over the summer but by August faded off and had a lousy finish. At one point when the Reds were doing well, he seemed like a lock to get the job but the bad finish seemed to have scuttled his chances.

Joe Girardi

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MLB Managerial Experience: 11 years (Florida 2006, New York Yankees 2008-2017)

Girardi is by far the biggest name of the group and was actually a finalist for the job in 2008 when the Reds decided to go with Dusty Baker instead. He won a World Series with the Yankees in 2009. Me personally, he be my pick as I think having a "big name" manager would lend some credibility to the team, much like it did with Dusty Baker in 2008.

Brad Ausmus

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MLB Managerial Experience: 4 years (Detroit 2014-2017)

If the Reds can't get Girardi, the other finalist with experience is Brad Ausmus. He won the AL Central in his first year with the Tigers but lost to Baltimore in the ALDS that season. The Tigers went up and down during Ausmus' tenure going from 1st to 5th to 2nd and back to 5th.

David Bell

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MLB Managerial Experience: None

The third finalist is David Bell, a former player who now works in the Giants front office and had some coaching experience with the Cardinals. His dad, Buddy Bell, works in the Reds front office as a senior adviser to the General Manager. Bell would be the hometown pick as he's from Cincinnati but has no managerial experience. I think if he were to be the pick, some would see it as a favor to his dad.

John Farrell

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MLB Managerial Experience: 7 years (Toronto 2011-2012, Boston 2013-2017)

I'm surprised that John Farrell wasn't one of the finalists but I could see him being a backup plan should any or all of them fall through since all three finalists are also candidates for other managerial openings as well. The rumor is that Farrell is good with young pitching and the Reds definitely need someone to help in that department. For 2018, he worked as a scout for the club and when Price was given the boot was seen by many as the next manager in waiting.

Hensley Meulens

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MLB Managerial Experience: None

Meulens is currently the Giants bench coach and was a finalist for the Yankees job last year that ultimately went to Aaron Boone.

Charlie Montoyo

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MLB Managerial Experience: None

Charlie Montoyo is currently the Rays bench coach but also managed Durham in Triple-A, as seen here by this card. The Rays experimented with "the opener" in terms of pitching this year so I'm curious as to if any of that came into play.

Tom Prince

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MLB Managerial Experience: None

Tom Prince is another bench coach the Reds interviewed and probably had the longest active playing career of anyone in the batch (aside from Girardi and Ausmus). Prince played 17 years in the majors with the Pirates, Dodgers, Phillies, Twins, and Royals. Even though he doesn't have any major league managing experience, he did manage in the minors.

Pat Kelly

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MLB Managerial Experience: None

No, this is not the Pat Kelly that played for the Yankees in the early to mid 90s. This Pat Kelly has been managing in the minors for a good number of years, including in the Reds system with Pensacola and Louisville. He was the bench coach for the Reds this season (what is it with the Reds and interviewing bench coaches). It was a formality that the Reds would interview him since he was on the staff and had managed previously within the system.

Rocco Baldelli

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MLB Managerial Experience: None

Perhaps the most interesting name on this list is that of Rocco Baldelli. Remember him? He was supposed to be the mega-star of the future for the Rays but unfortunately injuries constantly derailed him. 

Billy Hatcher

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MLB Managerial Experience: None

Another formality here is current Reds third base coach Billy Hatcher. Hatcher is probably the longest serving coach on the team, having been on Dusty Baker's staff as well.

Freddie Benavides

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MLB Managerial Experience: None

The final name on this list is former Reds and Rockies reserve infielder Freddie Benavides. While him, Hatcher, and Kelly were definitely considered long shots to get the managerial post. I don't think Benavides has any managerial experience under his belt.

That's the dozen who the Reds interviewed for the vacant managerial post. Personally, I'd like to see them go with Joe Girardi as I think having a "big name" manager could really help the club. The front office has said repeatedly that there will be a new manager in place by the end of the month. Who do you think they'll pick?