Reds Hire Terry Francona as New Manager

BeatReportJacob

BeatReportJacob

TV Athletics Beat Writer
By: Jacob Merideth, TV Athletic Beat Writer & Traffic Light Sports

Reds Hire Terry Francona as New Manager

In a shocking move, the Cincinnati Reds have announced that Terry Francona will be their new manager, according to sources close to ESPN's Jeff Passan. Francona, a veteran skipper with a storied career, comes out of retirement just one year after stepping away from the Cleveland Guardians.

Francona's Return to the Dugout:

After leading the Guardians to multiple postseason appearances, including an American League pennant in 2016, Francona surprisingly stepped down as manager following the 2022 season. Citing health concerns and a desire to spend time with family, Francona's retirement was thought to be permanent.

However, the Reds' vacant managerial position has lured Francona back into the game. His wealth of experience, leadership skills, and proven track record make him an ideal fit for a Cincinnati team looking to rebound from a disappointing season.

Francona's impressive resume:

With over 20 years of managerial experience, Francona boasts an impressive resume:

2x World Series Champion (Boston Red Sox, 2004 & 2007)
3x American League Manager of the Year
1,629 career wins (.532 winning percentage)

What This Means for the Reds:

Francona's hiring signals a new era of competitiveness for the Reds. His expertise and guidance will be invaluable in shaping the team's young core and revitalizing the franchise.

Sources:

Jeff Passan, ESPN
Cincinnati Reds Organization​
 
 
Only thing that concerns me is his health......if he is healthy, and can be there all 162+ this is an absolute home run hire. Krall must have had Francona locked up when he met with Bell before the final road trip, and you can bet Terry ain't coming on the cheap. Now go get a couple of run producing corner outfielders.
 
Season 2 Dancing GIF by The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
 
Unless Francona had assurances from ownership that the team was going to start spending money in free agency to try to compete, I'm not sure why he takes this job. And given the collapse of the Bally Sports TV deal, the Reds seem unlikely to go out and spend. But nevertheless, it is a very good hire
 
Sig Hansen said:
Unless Francona had assurances from ownership that the team was going to start spending money in free agency to try to compete, I'm not sure why he takes this job. And given the collapse of the Bally Sports TV deal, the Reds seem unlikely to go out and spend. But nevertheless, it is a very good hire
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Francona has done with less. The Reds will be just fine.
 
He has a far better resume than any manager since who, at this point in his career? For where the Reds are and have been, this is a homerun hire. Lets hope ownership doesn't hamstring him.
 
Sig Hansen said:
Unless Francona had assurances from ownership that the team was going to start spending money in free agency to try to compete, I'm not sure why he takes this job. And given the collapse of the Bally Sports TV deal, the Reds seem unlikely to go out and spend. But nevertheless, it is a very good hire
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How much $? They're not going to sign Juan Soto, nor should they. But they could find a reasonably priced FA bat for the OF.
 
Sig Hansen said:
Unless Francona had assurances from ownership that the team was going to start spending money in free agency to try to compete, I'm not sure why he takes this job. And given the collapse of the Bally Sports TV deal, the Reds seem unlikely to go out and spend. But nevertheless, it is a very good hire
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Francona never wanted a bunch of prima dona superstars. He won in Boston with gritty guys like Youkilis, Pedroia and Ortiz. He won in Cleveland with Jose Ramirez, Bieber and a bunch of nobodies. He can win in Cincy with Elly De La Cruz, Hunter Greene, and a bunch of young hungry guys.
 
Maybe they’ll spend some money on a free agent now. Francona wouldn’t come back if they didn’t have a chance to win right now.!
 
Omar said:
How much $? They're not going to sign Juan Soto, nor should they. But they could find a reasonably priced FA bat for the OF.
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This pick is not a bat, and probably a pipe dream—but wish the Reds would sign Trevor Bauer. Francona was his manager in Cleveland and Bauer deserves a second chance.
 
JUSTGOPLAY said:
Only thing that concerns me is his health......if he is healthy, and can be there all 162+ this is an absolute home run hire. Krall must have had Francona locked up when he met with Bell before the final road trip, and you can bet Terry ain't coming on the cheap. Now go get a couple of run producing corner outfielders.
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While Francona does have health issues, I think that I don’t blame him one bit, after all this time, for being disgusted with more of the Dolan family “value free agent” signings when they look to be so close, for emphasizing his health issues when he walked away. I think he was disgusted. that said, I don’t think his “places I have played” managerial tour has landed him with another owner that will break the bank when it’s time, though.

Maybe Pete’s ghost will be his bench coach ?
 
boothmark77 said:
This pick is not a bat, and probably a pipe dream—but wish the Reds would sign Trevor Bauer. Francona was his manager in Cleveland and Bauer deserves a second chance.
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Will definitely NOT happen. Remember, TIto was the manager in Cleveland when Bauer threw his temper tantrum on the mound and threw the ball over the CF fence while standing on the pitcher's mound.
 
GREAT hire for the Reds. My only worry, as a Tribe fan, does Tito lure Carl Willis (pitching coach) to Cincy to join his staff?
 
mcm.1019 said:
Will definitely NOT happen. Remember, TIto was the manager in Cleveland when Bauer threw his temper tantrum on the mound and threw the ball over the CF fence while standing on the pitcher's mound.
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And he apologized for that incident.

He’s still worth signing, but no team appears willing. Sad.
 
boothmark77 said:
And he apologized for that incident.

He’s still worth signing, but no team appears willing. Sad.
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He did apologize, but he showed up Tito so I don't see the Reds taking a chance. And nobody else is either due to the sexual situation that went throught the court system. I know he was found innocent but teams obviously don't want the publicity that signing him would bring.
 
mcm.1019 said:
He did apologize, but he showed up Tito so I don't see the Reds taking a chance. And nobody else is either due to the sexual situation that went throught the court system. I know he was found innocent but teams obviously don't want the publicity that signing him would bring.
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I get this, just not sure why. PR concerns did not stop the Browns from signing Watson. Or the Bills from keep Von Miller. Or the countless others who have been suspended for DV related issues.
 
Having hired Francona should come with a warning to the owners and upper management. Francona comes with a proven history of success and if failure happens it will not be his fault. Is management and owners ready to accept that. No way can they just fire the manger now and say it is his fault.
 
Smarty2022 said:
The Cincinnati Reds need to spend more $$$ on Players! Have a respectable Pay Roll. Gotta give any Manager something to work with.!
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If I remember right, the Indians/ Guardians didn't spend alot. He just gets more out of his players.
 
boothmark77 said:
This pick is not a bat, and probably a pipe dream—but wish the Reds would sign Trevor Bauer. Francona was his manager in Cleveland and Bauer deserves a second chance.
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Discover No Way GIF by ADWEEK

The Bauer thing is done. Time to send it down the road. As hard up as teams are for pitching, if he could help a team, he's been siged a long time ago. He's either not good enough or there is other stuff out there not reported that baseball just can't accept.
 
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