Reds already targeting David Bell replacement after shocking Sunday news

In a somewhat shocking (and rather callous) move, the Cincinnati Reds fired manager David Bell with less than a week left in the 2024 regular season. Bench coach Freddie Benavides will take over managerial duties over the final five games of the season.

Rumors had been swirling for weeks that Bell's time in as the Reds manager was coming to an end. A Cincinnati native and graduate of Archbishop Moelier High School, Bell's 409-456 overall win-loss record and one playoff appearance in five-plus years at the helm were not enough to keep him around the Reds' skipper.

Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall revealed in a statement that the team did not achieve the success they expected in 2025 and felt a change was needed. That change may come in the form of a former Reds player; no, not Joey Votto or Barry Larkin.

After firing David Bell, the Reds are targeting Marlins' manager Skip Schumaker

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Miami Marlins' manager Skip Schumaker is on the Reds' radar to replace Bell in the Cincinnati dugout. This is hardly surprising, as Schumaker will be on the shortlist for a number of openings this offseason. The current Marlins' skipper requested his option-year for the 2025 season be removed from his current contract, effectively making Schumaker a free agent after this season.

The Marlins made some changes after the 2023 season that didn't sit well with Schumaker. Miami fired former GM Kim Ng and hired former Tampa Bay Rays' executive Peter Bendix to be the new general manager.

While targeting Schumaker is certainly a wise move on the part of Reds' management, the Marlins' front office shakeup was not the only reason Schumaker is looking to get out of Miami.

Will the Reds pay what it's going to take to land Skip Schumaker?

After watching Craig Counsell leave the Milwaukee Brewers for the Chicago Cubs, and land the biggest contract ever signed by a Major League manager, one has to assume that Schumaker is focused on securing a big-time deal on the open market this offseason.

Schumaker led the Marlins to an unexpected playoff run in 2023 and was named National League Manager of the Year. This season, the Fish endured a number of injuries to their pitching staff and began to sell off top assets like Luis Arráez and Tanner Scott.

Schumaker will not be the only target on the Reds' radar, and Cincinnati will not be the only ball club courting the 44-year-old. Both the Chicago White Sox and Seattle Mariners have openings as well, and there are rumblings that the St. Louis Cardinals could enter the market after the season comes to a close.

Bell undoubtedly fell short of expectations; both this season and throughout his Reds' tenure. But if the Reds' front office and ownership don't invest in the team's core and add some key pieces during free agency during the offseason, it's not going to matter who's at the helm.

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