Tommy Thrall hints at Reds coaching option they may regret overlooking

Few fans are aware that the Cincinnati Reds recently lost another member of their coaching staff. Third base coach JR House departed for the Arizona Diamondbacks less than a month ago, and now Simon Matthews has been named the new pitching coach for the Washington Nationals.

Matthews was the Reds assistant pitching coach in 2025 after spending four seasons in Cincinnati's Minor League system. Matthews, a product of Driveline, is a very analytics-driven coach who's looking to follow in Caleb Cotham's shoes. Cotham joined the Philadelphia Phillies coaching staff in 2020 after working alongside Reds Director of Pitching Derek Johnson in 2019.

Matthews' decision to join the Nats obviously opened up another coaching vacancy on Cincinnati's staff, and on Thursday, the Reds promoted Matt Tracy from bullpen coach to assistant pitching coach. Cincinnati then nabbed Oscar Marin — who was recently fired by the Pittsburgh Pirates — to take over as the Reds' new bullpen coach.

Tommy Thrall was stumping for Wade Miley to join the Reds coaching staff

Cincinnati 's radio play-by-play voice Tommy Thrall, however, dropped a familiar name during the Reds Hot Stove Radio show earlier this week. Thrall suggested that Wade Miley should take over for Matthews in the Reds dugout as Johnson's assistant pitching coach.

"I don't know if Wade Miley is done playing baseball yet," Thrall said. "If he is in fact done, you've got to figure out a way to get that guy in this organization. He's going to make a great coach somewhere at some point. The question is, is he ready for that commitment at this point if in fact he's done trying to play baseball? He would be perfect for that role if it's something he was willing to do."

Miley signed a Minor League deal with the Reds this past offseason while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He eventually was let go, but then quickly re-signed a Major League deal after Hunter Greene hit the IL. Miley was able to appear in the three games, including two starts, and logged 12 innings of work while posting a 6.75 ERA and striking out seven batters.

Unfortunately, Miley suffered a left flexor strain, and while he made a valiant attempt to return this past season, ended the year on the 60-day IL. Miley officially became a free agent earlier this month, but it's unknown if he's going to attempt another comeback.

Tracy's promotion put an end to that speculation rather quickly, but don't be shocked if Miley's name continues to receive some attention for a job in the Reds' front office or as an on-field assistant in Goodyear next spring.