CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati native David Bell appears to be closing in on becoming the next manager of the Reds. Bell is the front-runner to be offered the Reds' managerial position, a source told MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi on Saturday.
Adding to the intrigue is the report from MLB Network's Jon Heyman, that the Reds have started to call other contenders for the position to let them know that they didn't get the job.
The Reds have made no formal announcement that they have a new manager. Major League Baseball strongly discourages clubs from making significant news during the World Series. However, the Fall Classic doesn't begin until Tuesday -- which leaves a two-day window of Sunday and Monday open for making an announcement.
Should Bell land the job, it would be his first time as a big league manager.
Bell, 46, is currently the Giants' vice president of player development. He is also in consideration for managerial vacancies with the Blue Jays and Rangers.
Along with Bell, the Reds conducted second-round interviews with former Yankees manager Joe Girardi and former Tigers manager Brad Ausmus. Girardi withdrew himself from consideration for the Reds' managerial job Friday, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.
A total of 12 candidates were interviewed during the first round -- including Bell, Girardi, Ausmus, Reds interim manager Jim Riggleman, former Red Sox manager John Farrell, Giants bench coach Hensley Meulens, Rays bench coach Charlie Montoyo and Major League field coordinator Rocco Baldelli, Pirates bench coach Tom Prince and Reds coaches Pat Kelly, Billy Hatcher and Freddie Benavides.
The son of former Reds player and Cincinnati native Buddy Bell, David played baseball for Moeller High School locally and is the grandson of another former Red, Gus Bell. Buddy Bell currently serves as a club advisor.
Bell spent three years in the Reds organization managing at the Double-A level from 2009-11 and at Triple-A Louisville in 2012. He also served as third-base coach in the Major Leagues for the Cubs in 2013 and as the Cardinals' bench coach from 2015-17. After the '17 season, he left St. Louis to join the Giants' front office.