Cincinnati Reds: Jim Riggleman can’t be a serious candidate, right?

Jim Riggleman did an admirable job after the Cincinnati Reds fired Bryan Price. But, Riggleman can’t be a serious contender for the manager’s job, right?

Bryan Price got the Cincinnati Reds off to a terrible start and paid the price. He was fired just 18 games into the 2018 season after starting the season 3-15. Jim Riggleman took over for Price and did a decent job getting the team back on track, but he can’t be a serious candidate, can he?

Jim Riggleman was one of the 10-plus gentlemen involved in the first round of interviews to become the new skipper for the Cincinnati Reds. Riggleman led the Reds to a 64-80 (.444) record after taking over for Bryan Price. That just so happens to be Riggleman’s career winning percentage as manager over his 12-plus seasons leading a team.

Riggleman was 112-179 (.385) during his tenure with the San Diego Padres. He was slightly better in five seasons with the Chicago Cubs, going 374-419 (.472). In 90 games with the Seattle Mariners, he was an unimpressive 36/54 (.400). Finally, before quitting midway through his third season with the Washington Nationals, Riggleman compiled a record of 140-172 (.449). Altogether, Riggleman’s career record as a manager is 726-904 (.445).

Is that the type of guy that the Cincinnati Reds management believe is going to lead this franchise in a positive direction? When guys like Joe Girardi (988-794) and John Farrell (586-554) both have experience and winning records as managers, it’s hard to believe that Riggleman is a serious contender for the job.

Another former manager, Brad Ausmus, was also interviewed by the Cincinnati Reds. While his sub-.500 record as a manager in 3 seasons with the Detroit Tigers is not overly impressive, his .486 winning percentage is still higher than Riggleman’s.

The Reds also interviewed a young up-and-comer in the coaching ranks, Rocco Baldelli of the Tampa Bay Rays. A bright, young mind on a team that implemented a new idea this season in regards to their starting rotation gives the impression that the Reds are not just looking for more of the same old thing.

Suffice to say, the Cincinnati Reds have a bevy of qualified candidates. Any one of them, even the trio of bench coaches that have been interviewed, would likely be a better fit for the team than Jim Riggleman.

There’s also the idea of the fanbase. The Cincinnati Reds have been in a funk for five straight years. Reds fans need to see that the owners and Reds brass are serious about contending. Making an internal hire, like Jim Riggleman, would signal to the fans that they’re going to get more of the same.

The Reds saw their attendance numbers drop from 1,836,917 in 2017, to 1,629,356 in 2018. This is the fifth consecutive season that the Reds have seen a decrease in attendance at Great American Ball Park. They can’t afford to screw this hire up. I think Riggleman’s interview was a courtesy to him, and the Reds are likely to go in another direction. But, I’ve been wrong before.