Bell set to become Cards' assistant hitting coach

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Cardinals are in the process of finalizing an agreement that would bring David Bell to St. Louis as the team's next assistant hitting coach. General manager John Mozeliak chose not to comment on those negotiations while meeting with the media on Tuesday, but he did confirm that the rest of the Cardinals' Major League staff will be returning in 2014.

Bell, who most recently served as the Cubs' third-base coach, will fill the coaching vacancy created when Bengie Molina left to accept a coaching position with the Rangers last month. Bell will work alongside John Mabry, who is entering his second season as the Cardinals' hitting coach.

The two know each other well, too, as they were teammates in St. Louis from 1995-98, and again with the Mariners in 1999. Bell played with six teams over 12 Major League seasons, primarily as a third baseman. He has climbed the coaching ladder since his retirement in 2006.

Bell managed the Reds' Double-A affiliate for three seasons before managing the organization's Triple-A club in 2012. He joined Dale Sveum's staff in Chicago prior to the 2013 season, but began seeking a new employer after Sveum was fired as Chicago's manager after the season. Sveum's entire staff was dismissed with him.