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

Terry Francona is apparently doing better.

A year after the longtime manager resigned from his position with the Cleveland Guardians, the Cincinnati Reds hired him as their new manager and made it official 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 portrayed as a resignation due to the 65-year-old’s health concerns. Francona even went so far as to say, via MLB.com, that he couldn’t imagine doing it again, although he also seemed to leave some doors open:

A year later, Francona returned to the MLB with the other team in Ohio. The Reds will be the fourth team he has managed in his managerial career since 1997.

Francona brings a resume that no other Cincinnati candidate can match. He holds 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 bringing similar results to a team that has made the playoffs once in the last 11 years and hasn’t won a playoff series since 1995. The Reds took a notable step backwards this season, going 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 do behind it. However, the Reds have some young talent with the No. 14 farm system in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline.