Reds Rumors: David Bell's coaching staff could undergo overhaul in 2025

With the Cincinnati Reds on pace to miss the MLB Postseason yet again, all eyes will be on David Bell's status as the team's manager once the 2024 season comes to a close. Reds fans have been calling for Bell's dismissal for several seasons now, and with another sub-.500 campaign all but assured, the Cincinnati faithful are expecting the skipper to be shown the door this offseason.

But that may not be in the cards. Cincinnati inked Bell to a three-year contract extension last summer, and the Archbishop Moeller graduate has a deal in place that keeps him in the Queen City through the 2026 season.

As such, fans should not be shocked to see Bell return to the dugout once again in 2025. But according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, coaches on Bell's staff may pay the price for the Reds' disappointing win-loss record this season. So while Bell may live to fight another day, fans will likely at least see some changes to the Reds coaching staff.

Reds Rumors: David Bell's coaching staff could undergo overhaul in 2025

Considering how poorly the Reds' offense has been this season, it's a good bet that hitting coach Joel McKeithan could be handed his pink slip at season's end. The Reds rank 18th in OPS, 22nd in on-base percentage, and 26th in batting average and hits this season. Other coaches who could be on the hot seat that also contribute to the team's preparedness in the batters' box include Tim LaMonte, Terry Bradshaw, and Jeff Pickler.

Some Reds fans would love to see the team part ways with pitching coach Derek Johnson, but that seems unlikely. The Reds' team ERA ranks 16th among all 30 ball clubs, and Johnson is viewed as one of the best in the business. Johnson is also the Reds Director of Pitching, meaning that waving goodbye to the former Vanderbilt pitching coach would change the organization's pitching philosophy top to bottom. That's a big change, and one that seems incredibly improbable this winter.

Nightengale assumes that Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall will be safe this offseason despite the fact Cincinnati has failed to reach the playoffs in a 162-game season since 2013. While Bell has drawn the ire of many Reds fans, Krall is far from innocent in the club's shortcomings this season.

Things can always change, and a poor showing over the final few weeks may be enough for the Reds and Bell to part company. But the Cincinnati ownership group is very tightfisted, and letting Bell go with two years remaining on his current deal would be quite atypical for the oft-frugal Castellini family.

Reds fans will be on pins and needles with the end of the season fast approaching. While Bell's future has yet to be decided, the latest Reds rumors would suggest that there'll be some turnover in the coaching ranks this offseason.

More Cincinnati Reds News and Rumors