For the third time in the past 11 years, the Cincinnati Reds are searching for a new manager following the end of the season.
To date, the Reds have interviewed 12 candidates for their manager opening. Dick Williams commented that they interviewed one final candidate late last week, Rocco Baldelli, but also stated that a second round of interviews will occur this week.
Ownership has certainly gathered a lot of great candidates, and all of these contenders have a lot of baseball experience, but who is likely to get a second interview? Let’s breakdown the candidates into where I think they stand, as it pertains to the managerial search.
Finalists
Jim Riggleman: Riggleman began the 2018 season as the Reds bench coach before taking over as interim manager after the firing of Bryan Price. He has been a manager in some capacity with five different teams (Padres, Cubs, Mariners, Nationals, and Reds). For the last seven years, Riggleman has been a manager or coach in the Reds system, arriving in Cincinnati for the 2015 season. Fans and Bob Castellini appear to like Riggleman for his quick hook, small-ball strategies and personality, so I see him getting a second interview.Â
John Farrell:Â Farrell has been a scout with the Reds since spring training of 2018. Prior to becoming a scout, Farrell was a manager for two teams (Blue Jays and Red Sox). While with the Red Sox, Farrell won the 2013 World Series and made two other postseason appearances. Farrell is held in high regard among fans and coaches, and I see him interviewing a second time.
David Bell: Bell is a Cincinnati native, having graduated from Moeller High School. He is a third generation player who played with six different teams in his 12 years. Most recently, he has been the vice president of player development for the Giants. Following his playing career, Bell joined the Reds as the manager for their Double-A team, the Carolina Mudcats, in 2008. After three years, he was moved up as the manager of the Louisville Bats before being a coach in some regard for the Cubs and Cardinals. Bell is a hometown candidate that has a well renowned playing career and is the one of the youngest candidates. I can see him getting a second interview and think he has a really good shot at getting the job.
Good Consideration
Brad Ausmus: Currently a special assistant to the general manager for the Angels, Ausmus is one of the highest touted applicants for the Reds manager positon. Of Jewish heritage, Ausmus played in the Yankees minor league system while getting his degree from Dartmouth and is recognized as the first Ivy League catcher to play in the World Series since 1916. Ausmus was a catcher in the major leagues for 18 seasons, majority of which were spent with the Houston Astros. The former manager for the Detroit Tigers and the Israel national baseball team, Ausmus is will be one of the best candidates, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he receives a second round interview.
Tom Prince: Prince has been a minor league manager for many years and has spent his last two seasons as the Pirates’ bench coach. Mainly a defensive, back-up catcher in his playing days, he played for five teams over 16 seasons. Prince has had a lot of success in the minor leagues, knows the National League Central very well and is an up-and-coming coach with a great deal of potential, so I can see him getting a lot of consideration for a second interview.
Hensley Meulens: Meulens is a native of Curacao, an island in the Dutch Caribbean region, and is currently the Giants bench coach. Playing all over the world over 12 seasons, including in Japan, Korea and Mexico, he also played for the Yankees, Expos and Diamondbacks in the MLB. He speaks five languages and was knighted by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. Meulens was a finalist for the Yankees' opening last year before being beat out by Aaron Boone, but he is held in high regard around the league, and I think a dark horse to get a second round interview.
Players’ Favorites
Billy Hatcher: Cincinnati legend and World Series record holder, Hatcher has been a coach with the Reds since 2006, most recently as their third base coach. World Series champion with the storied 1990 Reds, he played for seven different teams over 12 seasons and holds the World Series records for most consecutive hits (7), single-season batting (.750), single-season on-base percentage (.800), and most doubles in a four-game series (4). Being next to him all last season I can tell you that players and fans all around the MLB, but especially in Cincinnati, love him and would like him to get a good look for the position.
Freddie Benavides: A former second round draft pick for the Reds out of TCU, Benavides arrived in the major leagues with Cincinnati a year after their 1990 World Series championship. He currently serves as the Reds first base coach. Benavides only played four seasons in the major leagues before working with the Reds minor league teams. Seeing how the players respect him, I think he would be a players’ manager, but I don’t think he is ready for this promotion yet.
Not the Right Fit
Joe Girardi: Blockbuster managerial candidate Joe Girardi has been the big name thrown around when people talk about the Reds manager search. Former Marlins and Yankees manager, Girardi has five postseason appearances, won the 2009 World Series as a manager in his second season with the Yankees and was named the National League Manager of the Year in his only season with the Marlins. Girardi obviously wants to get back into the game as a manager and his history of winning is very alluring, but would he be ready to come to a small-market team like Cincinnati to do so? Girardi also has clubhouse rules that other managers would not care about as much, such as prohibiting facial hair and banning sweets such as ice cream and soda. Depending on how the first interview went, I can see ownership giving Girardi a chance with a second interview, but I’m not sure Cincinnati is the right fit for him.
Not Quite Ready
Rocco Baldelli: The final candidate interviewed by Dick Williams late last week, Baldelli is the youngest of the candidates interviewed. A former sixth pick overall by Tampa Bay, Baldelli had great potential for his career before it was derailed by medical conditions once he reached the major leagues. Baldelli has held a few positions with the Rays organization, most recently as the major-league field coordinator coaching the players on defense. Baldelli will be a manager in the future, but his lack of managerial experience is a bit concerning and I feel it’s not the right time.
Pat Kelly: Two-time interim bench coach for the Reds, Pat Kelly was one of the five internal candidates for the Reds manager search. Kelly has been a minor league manager for the Reds for their Rookie League, Single High-Class A, Double-A and Triple-A teams over the past decade. The players know him, and he was the one who caught the Mets' lineup error earlier this season (that was fun to witness, personally being next to him), but I’m unsure if he’s got the traits and experience that the Reds want in a manager that needs winning seasons soon.
Charlie Montoyo: Montoyo has been the Rays bench coach for the past three seasons and only played in four games in the MLB. He was the manager for the Rays’ Triple-A farm team, the Durham Bulls, and was one of the winningest managers through his eight years. Montoyo’s team won two International League championships and he won two International League Manager of the Year Awards. While Montoyo has had a stellar managerial career in the minor leagues, I’m not sure he’s got the attributes that this Reds team needs right now.
Larkin’s Absence
While many Reds fans would love for Barry Larkin’s name to suddenly emerge as a real candidate, it’s not going to happen. The Hall of Famer has stated that he enjoys his time working with specific players in the Reds system. Maybe down the road, Larkin will throw his name in the hat.
Later this week we’ll know which of these candidates are receiving second round interviews, but the Reds are seeming to be thorough in their search. I, for one, am happy that they are casting their net out wide to find the best match for the future of Cincinnati.
Writer: Joe Mayer