Reds hire Terry Francona as manager a year after he resigned from Guardians

Terry Francona is apparently feeling better.

A year after the longtime manager left his position with the Cleveland Guardians, the Cincinnati Reds hired him as their new manager, making it official on Friday. Francona agreed to a three-year contract through the 2027 season, with a club option for 2028. The Reds fired manager David Bell last month after six seasons.

Francona’s departure from Cleveland was presented as a retirement due to health concerns for the 65-year-old. Francona even said he couldn’t see himself making it anymore, though he also seemed to leave some doors open, via MLB.com:

A year later, Francona jumps back into the MLB, with the other team in Ohio. The Reds become the fourth team he has managed in a managerial career dating back to 1997.

Francona brings a resume that no other candidate from Cincinnati can match. He has a 1,948-1,670 record over 23 years, with two World Series titles with the Boston Red Sox, another AL title with the Guardians and three Manager of the Year awards.

He will be tasked with achieving similar results for a team that has reached the playoffs once in the past 11 years and hasn’t won a playoff series since 1995. The Reds have taken a remarkable step back this season, from 82-80 in 2023. to 77-85 in 2024.

However, the Reds are not without talent. Elly De La Cruz has become one of the faces of the MLB and Hunter Greene has been one of the best pitchers in the NL this season. There is a lot to work on behind them. That said, the Reds have some young talent on the way, with the No. 14 farm system in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline.