The Cincinnati Reds announced on Sunday that they have parted ways with manager David Bell. Bench coach Freddie Benavides has been named the interim manager, but the team is expected to seek a permanent replacement.
One name being mentioned is Skip Schumaker, the current manager of the Miami Marlins, as a potential candidate for the Reds’ managerial position, according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY. Nightengale noted on X (formerly Twitter) that Schumaker is on Cincinnati’s radar following Bell’s firing.
Bell was nearing the end of his sixth season with the Reds when he was let go, with the team already eliminated from playoff contention at 76-81 with only five games left in the season. They recently suffered a 2-0 loss at home to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Despite receiving a contract extension in 2023 that would have kept him through the 2026 season, the Reds have decided to pursue a different direction without the 52-year-old Bell, who previously played in the major leagues from 1995 to 2006.
As for Schumaker, he acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding his own future with the Marlins. After a recent 5-4 loss to the Atlanta Braves, he said, “It’s kind of a weird moment, personally, in my career. Extremely grateful that I was given an opportunity to manage the Miami Marlins even if it was a couple years.”
Nightengale’s report about Schumaker has drawn various reactions from fans, many of whom believe he could be a good fit for the Reds.
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