Beloved Reds backup makes heartfelt return with chance to shape team’s future

Former Cincinnati Reds catcher Curt Casali quietly retired this past season without much fanfare. After 11 years in the major leagues, the veteran backstop finally decided to hang up his cleats and move into a new role — the Reds front office.

Casali signed a minor-league deal with the Atlanta Braves this past spring, but didn't make the final cut and was released on March 17. According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, Casali accepted a job with the Reds front office shortly after his release.

Casali's role with the Reds hasn't been reported, though other former players — Barry Larkin and Eric Davis among them — are part of Cincinnati's behind the scenes operations as special assistants to the general manager.

Former Reds catcher Curt Casali makes heartfelt return to Cincy's front office

Slusser is reporting that Casali could be a candidate for San Francisco's now vacant managerial spot. Giants' President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey, a former catcher in his own right, is said to be targeting longtime Major League backstops in his search to replace Bob Melvin in San Fran's dugout.

In addition to Casali, Slusser also mentioned Texas Rangers' special advisor Nick Hundley, former Giants catcher Craig Albernaz, and ex-MLB catcher Kurt Suzuki. In fact, Suzuki is rumored to have interviewed with the Giants last week.

Any Reds fan who fondly remembers Casali's time in Cincinnati can certainly understand why he might be considered for one of the many Major League vacancies this offseason. In addition to the Giants, the Braves, Los Angeles Angels, Minnesota Twins, Washington Nationals, Colorado Rockies, and Baltimore Orioles are all in search of new men to lead the charge in 2026.

The hope, of course, is that Casali maintains some type of role in the Cincinnati front office, as his knowledge and ability to communicate with younger players could be quite the asset for the Reds organization over the long haul.

Given current manager Terry Francona's age (66), his tenure in Cincinnati could be a short one. Casali could eventually become a candidate to take over as Cincinnati's next manager depending on how long Tito plans to stay in the Reds' dugout.

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