Is manager David Bell on the hot seat heading into Reds spring training?

David Bell received a contract extension just before the end of the 2021 season. Unfortunately, the Cincinnati Reds roster was gutted prior to last season and Bell was given little to nothing to work with.

Furthermore, Bell's best players all found their way onto the injured list at some time or another during the 2022 season. Tyler Stephenson played just 50 games, Joey Votto missed most of the second-half, and Jonathan India suffered through lingering injuries all season.

Last year's team was setup to fail, and as Reds spring training is set to begin this season, most baseball experts, pundits, and fans agree that this year's squad is in a similar boat. So, is David Bell on the hot seat?

Is manager David Bell on the hot seat heading into Reds spring training?

David Bell has endured a lot since taking over as manager of the Cincinnati Reds prior to the 2019 season. Bell's 2020 team looked poised to compete for a division title, but the coronavirus pandemic squeezed the season from a 162-game marathon into a 60-game sprint. The Reds lost in the first-round of an expanded playoff.

The following offseason, the Reds said goodbye to Cy Young Award-winner Trevor Bauer, closer Raisel Iglesias, and reliever Archie Bradley. Following the team's first 162-game winning season since 2013, the Reds front office failed to re-sign All-Star outfielder Nick Castellanos and traded away former All-Stars Eugenio Suarez, Sonny Gray, and Jessie Winker.

After the fire sale prior to the 2022 season, Cincinnati's front office continued the rebuild by dealing All-Star pitcher Luis Castillo, as well as starter Tyler Mahle, outfielders Tommy Pham and Tyler Naquin, and the team's home run-leader Brandon Drury at the trade deadline.

As David Bell looks at the team's roster heading into Reds spring training, there's likely a feeling of dread with a shred of optimism attached. Cincinnati has a lot of talent in the clubhouse, but most of players have little to no major league experience.

Whether you like David Bell or not, you have to admit that he's been handed a pretty raw deal. Still, he is the manager of a major league ball club and the team should be expected to compete and to win.

Last season, managers like Joe Girardi (Philadelphia Phillies), Joe Maddon (Los Angeles Angels), and Charlie Montoya (Toronto Blue Jays) were handed their walking papers before the conclusion of the 2022 season.

It's hard to see David Bell suffering the same fate in 2023. Bell is in the final year of his contract and expectations are low. Bell's seat might be a little warm, but Aaron Boone (New York Yankees) and Dave Martinez (Washington Nationals) are already on the hot seat heading into the upcoming season.