The Cincinnati Reds reached a major league deal with manager David Bell in the majors.
Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell agreed to a two-year contract extension, which will keep him under contract until the 2023 season.
Bell signed a three-year deal when he was hired in October 2018 with a club option for a fourth season. The Reds never acted on the club’s option until rewarding Bell with his extension on Wednesday.
“Of course, it’s something I would like to do for as long as possible just because of how much I love doing it, I love the team, the organization and our players,” said Bell. “It doesn’t change my focus. I was sure that everything would work out, so nothing really changes but it makes me hope to finish strong this year and continue like this in the years to come. “
The Cincinnati Reds had a .463 winning percentage in 2019 (75-87 record), a .517 winning percentage last year (31-29) and they have a .513 winning percentage this season (78 -74).
“We’ve talked about this all year, just to extend David,” Reds general manager Nick Krall said. “He has done a great job with the team we have now. I think it’s natural that it guides us forward. We made the playoffs last year, we had a hot streak this year and we still have a chance. I think that, for us, we have a guy in place who knows how to run a big league clubhouse on the bench and we think he’s the right guy. “
Bell, a Cincinnati native and Moeller graduate, anticipates his entire coaching staff will return next season, which was important to Bell. He has had a lot of continuity on his staff during his first three seasons, replacing hitting coaches and an assistant pitching coach.
Pitching coach Derek Johnson, bench coach Freddie Benavides, first base coach Delino DeShields, third base coach JR House, game planning coach Jeff Pickler, bullpen coach Lee Tunnell, associate coach Rolando Valles and assistant coach Cristian Pérez have been on Bell’s staff for all three seasons. (Fielding)