The Toronto Blue Jays made another move in their front office on Friday, bringing in former manager and big-league infielder David Bell.
Bell will be joining the Blue Jays as vice president of baseball operations and assistant general manager, a new position created with the hiring.
In his new role, Bell will “oversee the Player Development and Physical & Mental Performance departments, while also contributing to major league strategic planning decisions and advising on player evaluations and acquisitions,” per a release by the team.
Bell, 52, served as the Cincinnati Reds manager from 2019 through September this past season before being fired with games remaining.
Davidi and Nicholson-Smith reported that Bell interviewed for the Blue Jays managerial position in the fall of 2018 before Charlie Montoyo ultimately got the job.
Over six seasons with the Reds, Bell collected a 409-456 record, earning a trip to the post-season in 2020, where Cincinnati lost in the wild-card series to the Atlanta Braves.
Before getting his shot in the Reds’ dugout, Bell coached in Cincinnati’s minor-league system and with the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals. He also worked in the San Francisco Giants front office as vice president of player development in 2018.
Over 12 seasons as a player, Bell spent time with six different teams, playing in 1403 games. He most notably served as the starting third baseman for the 2001 Seattle Mariners, who set the MLB record with 116 wins.
