David Bell Hired as Cincinnati Reds Manager

The Cincinnati Reds will formally introduce David Bell as their new manager Monday, the team announced Sunday:

Bell, 46, spent 12 seasons as an MLB player, hitting .257 with 123 homers and 589 RBI.

After his playing career, he spent four years as a minor league manager for the Reds (2009 to 2012), one year as the third base coach for the Chicago Cubs, three years as an assistant hitting coach and bench coach for the St. Louis Cardinals, and the past season as the San Francisco Giants' vice president of player development.

He was one of 12 candidates the Reds reportedly interviewed for the job, according to Bobby Nightengale of USA Today. Per that report, Joe Girardi and Brad Ausmus were also interviewed for a second time this week before the Reds chose Bell.

His task won't be a small one in Cincinnati.

The Reds haven't reached the postseason since 2013 and have failed to top 70 wins in four straight seasons. The team fired Bryan Price after a 3-15 start to the season, appointing Jim Riggleman as interim manager.

Under Riggleman, the Reds went 64-80 (67-95 overall), finishing last in the NL Central and 28.5 games back of the division champion Milwaukee Brewers.