3 rumored replacements for David Bell the Reds shouldn't even consider

The Cincinnati Reds pulled the rug out from under David Bell earlier this week. The Reds fired Bell after nearly six seasons at the helm, and appointed bench coach Freddie Benavides to be the team's interim manager for the remaining five games this season.

The Reds have already started to gather a list of potential replacements for Bell. Among them is former Reds' outfielder Skip Schumaker who is currently in his final season with the Miami Marlins. Schumaker won the 2023 NL Manager of the Year Award and led Miami to the postseason that year.

But Schumaker is unlikely to be the only one in line to take over for Bell. In fact, before Bell was hired back 2018, the Reds had more than a dozen names, including Joe Girardi, John Farrell, and Brad Ausmus. Former Toronto Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo and current Minnesota Twins skipper Rocco Baldelli were also on the list.

And while the Reds haven't released an official list of interviewees just yet, there are several names floating about. Some of the names being tossed around on message boards and social media are just nuts, and there are some that the Reds shouldn't even consider.

Joey Votto, former Reds All-Star

This has to be said; Joey Votto has absolutely zero business managing the Cincinnati Reds next season. Zilch! Yes, Votto was a fantastic player during his tenure with the Reds, but that doesn't mean he has what it takes to be a big league manager. While many former players are now sitting in a number of managerial and front offices roles throughout baseball, Votto just called it a career less than two months.

Do you really think he wants to return to the organization that less than a year ago told him they were done? Now, the Reds were right to move one (especially with the $20 million price tag attached to his club option), and time heals all wounds, but there might still be some resentment from Votto toward his former franchise.

And even if the two sides are chummy, the Reds need to turn the page and hand the reins over to an experienced manager. The Reds tried the learning-on-the-job approach with Bell and what did it get them?

Gabe Kapler, former Giants manager

No, no, one thousand times, no! The Reds need to stay as far away from Gabe Kapler as humanly possible. While the former San Francisco Giants manager has had some success at the Major League level, he's also had some daft ideas over the years.

If you didn't like Bell, you won't like Bell. While Kapler is a bit more eccentric than the mild-mannered Bell, his approach to the game is eerily similar. Kapler was oftentimes criticized for sticking to the script far to often and rarely, if ever, trusting his gut.

There was also the time when Kapler switched the menu throughout the Los Angeles Dodgers organization after being hired as the director of player development; swapping out the junk food for all organics. Now everyone can appreciate a health-conscience approach to eating, but Kapler's extremes to health and exercise are a bit out there.

Beyond just the wild health habits, Kapler had just one winning campaign during his six seasons managing both the Giants and Philadelphia Phillies. Kapler's .526 winning percentage is greatly skewed by his lone winning season in 2021 when the Giants won 107 games.

Collin Cowgill, Reds first base coach

Don't take this the wrong way. Collin Cowgill has done a phenomenal job as the Reds first base coach the past two seasons. The players in the Reds clubhouse genuinely love playing for Cowgill, and he's been credited with helping to develop Cincinnati's aggressive running style the past two years. But he's not ready for a big league job.

The one thing that Nick Krall seemed to cite during his press conference this past Monday was the team's undisciplined approach in some areas. That sounded like code for we're not looking for a player's -manager this time around. That's exactly the type of manager that Cowgill profiles to be.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with that in and of itself, but in order to have success, the new Reds manager must be in lock-step with the front office. If Cincinnati is looking for a more disciplined approach, Cowgill's not the guy. That said, whoever is hired to replace Bell should keep Cowgill on the Reds coaching staff.

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