MLB Rumors: Reds to Hire Terry Francona as Manager After Guardians, Red Sox Stints

Adam WellsOctober 4, 2024

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The Cincinnati Reds are hiring Terry Francona as the team’s next manager, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported.

Francona most recently spent 11 seasons with the Cleveland Guardians organization before stepping down following the 2023 season.

Francona’s 23-year managerial career also includes eight years with the Boston Red Sox and four with the Philadelphia Phillies, and he spent one season of his 10-year playing career with the Reds in 1987.

The Reds made a surprise move to fire David Bell on Sept. 22 after six seasons. The decision came 14 months after he signed a three-year extension through the 2026 campaign.

Bell’s departure came as the Reds were in the midst of a 77-85 record in 2024. He finished 409-456 with three winning seasons and a postseason appearance in 2020 during his tenure with the club.

Since making the playoffs three times in a four-season span from 2010 to ’13, the Reds own the fourth-worst record in Major League Baseball (753-927). The only teams that have been worse are the Miami Marlins, Chicago White Sox and Colorado Rockies.

There is hope for the Reds to challenge for a playoff spot sooner than later. Elly De La Cruz is one of the most dynamic talents in the sport, coming off a season in which he had 71 extra-base hits and an MLB-high 67 stolen bases. Hunter Greene is an ace after posting a 2.75 ERA in 26 starts during the 2024 season.

Top prospect Rhett Lowder looked terrific with a 1.12 ERA in six starts late in the season after being called up from Triple-A. Chase Burns, the No. 2 pick in the 2024 MLB draft, could move fast through the minors and be in Cincinnati at some point next year.

There is work for the front office to help out that core group of players, but that quartet is a great starting point for any organization to build around.

Francona marked a 1950-1672 overall record during his prior managerial career, which was highlighted by breaking an 86-year championship drought by leading the Red Sox to World Series titles in 2004 and 2007.

He then headed to Cleveland in 2013 and went on to lead his team to an AL pennant in 2016. When Francona stepped away from the MLB to focus on his health after the 2023 season he left as the winningest manager in Guardians franchise history.