Reds News: David Bell leaves Blue Jays, Giants DFA former lefty, Hall of Fame ballot

The Cincinnati Reds fired former manager David Bell with one week to go during the 2024 season. Bell had a winning record in three of his six seasons at the helm, but his win-loss record was severely marred by the Reds' rebuilding efforts in 2022 that resulted in a 100-loss season.

After being fired in 2024, Bell joined the Toronto Blue Jays as the club's assistant general manager. He was tasked with overseeing the player development and strategic planning, but after two years north of the border, Bell decided to call it quits.

Former Reds manager David Bell resigns his post with Blue Jays

Bell stepped down from his role with the Blue Jays and will reportedly pursue other opportunities. The former Reds' skipper told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, “I decided to step away and reassess where I can make the greatest impact, on and off the field."

It's anyone's guess as to what Bell will do next. While it would be unwise to rule out a return to the dugout, most of those opportunities are already spoken for, and his career 409-456 record is unlikely to draw many suitors.

Bell was a coach for the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs in the past, and prior to his time with the Reds, he spent several years in the San Francisco Giants front office as the vice president of player development. But with Buster Posey now installed as the Giants' president of baseball operations, a return to the Bay Area seems doubtful.

Giants DFA former Reds pitcher Reiver Sanmartin

Speaking of the Giants, they recently designated Reiver Sanmartin for assignment. The former Reds pitcher was claimed off waivers last November, and spent a good portion of the 2026 season on the injured list with a hip flexor strain.

Sanmartin made his Giants in June and was yo-yo'd back and forth between the big leagues and Triple-A. He ended the year with a 4.22 ERA over 21⅓ innings of work. But the southpaw is now out of minor-league options and San Fran needed to make space on the 40-man roster.

Sanmartin will almost certainly be claimed or traded in the coming days, and with a shortage of left-handed relievers on the roster, don't be shocked if the Reds ponder a reunion.

Former Reds managers Dusty Baker & Lou Piniella on the Hall of Fame ballot

In what's become a very Giants-centric newser, former San Francisco manager Dusty Baker is on the Contemporary Baseball Era ballot for the Hall of Fame. Baker, of course, spent most of managerial career with the Giants, but came to Cincinnati in 2008 and led the Reds back to the postseason in 2010, 2012, and 2013.

Baker is joined by another former Reds' manager, Lou Piniella. Sweet Lou led the 1990 squad to a wire-to-wire World Series championship, and could finally be inducted in the National Baseball Hall of Fame if he receives 12-of-16 votes from the eras commitee. The results will be announced on December 6.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow