The Reds surprisingly hire Terry Francona as their next coach amid NL playoff drama

The Cincinnati Reds have found their next manager shortly after parting ways with David Bell. Former Cleveland Guardians and Boston Red Sox captain Terry Francona will reportedly take over at Cincy for the 2025 season.

There has been some speculation recently that this could be a pairing, with Francona reportedly intending to return after a year-long layoff and the Reds desperately needing a real leader. But no one expected it to happen so quickly.

An announcement is expected to come Friday, according to MLB insider Mark Feinsand. Details of the agreement were not disclosed, but Feinsand’s reporting was assisted by ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

Francona, who will one day become a Hall of Famer, is a game-changer for the Reds in an open NL Central. Cincinnati’s young roster definitely needs an experienced decision-maker, especially one who has played in three World Series (and helped the Red Sox break their 86-year championship curse).

The Reds shockingly hire Terry Francona as their next coach amid NL playoff drama

The Reds had another completely disappointing season, although this was certainly due to injuries as they were missing so many players for most of the year. At this point you feel that any conscious change will lead to happiness.

The team made this impressive move as the playoffs unfolded on Thursday night. In fact, the news coincided with the Milwaukee Brewers’ dramatic exit from the postseason. After leading 2-0 in the ninth, the Brewers fell to the Mets in the win-or-go-home third game. Closer Devin Williams gave up four earned runs after allowing just three in 21 games this season.

Could this represent a changing of the guard? The Reds were favorites to win the division in 2024 but took a huge step back. On the other hand, the Cardinals, Cubs and Pirates continue to get stuck, while the Brewers have failed to get past the first-round playoff hurdle in their last five attempts.

Expect more updates on Friday, but this is undoubtedly an exciting development for Reds fans eager to return to the postseason for the first time in a full MLB season since 2013.