Cincinnati Reds mum on finalists for managerial job, but new manager will be one of 12 interviewed

John Fay | Cincinnati Enquirer

Show Caption Hide Caption Reds prospect Hunter Greene on recovering from his elbow injury Reds prospect Hunter Greene, the No. 2 pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, discusses his rehab and recovery from a sprained ligament in his right elbow.

The Cincinnati Reds have or will shortly narrow the list of managerial candidates from 12 to three or four.

But word on who the finalists are will not come from the Reds.

“We will probably stay pretty quiet about who is coming back in for competitive reasons,” Reds president of baseball operations Dick Williams said via text.

Williams has been open about who the Reds have interviewed so far. His reason for being mum on the finalist is several of the candidates are candidates for other managerial jobs as well.

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The guy who gets the job, however, will be one of the 12 the Reds have interviewed.

“I will acknowledge that we are not going to add any new names at this point,” Williams said.

The Reds have not commented on the interviews. Looking at the list, the leading inside candidate is John Farrell and the leading outside candidate is David Bell. The interviews could have changed that.

Here’s a look at the candidates:

— Brad Ausmus: Former Detroit manager

— Rocco Baldelli: He was last added to the list. He is youngest at 37. He’s spent three years as Tampa Bay’s first-base coach. He reportedly has received interest from the Toronto Blue Jays, Texas Rangers and Minnesota Twins managerial openings.

— Bell: He obviously has strong ties to Cincinnati, and he has a great resume. He’s been seen as a possible candidate for the job since he was managing the Reds’ Double-A team.

— Freddie Benavides: Reds first base and infield coach.

— Farrell: Former Boston and Toronto manager. Spent this season as an adviser/scout for the Reds.

— Joe Girardi: The former Yankees manager. If the Reds go the big-name route, he’s likely the guy.

— Billy Hatcher: Reds third-base and outfield coach. The longest-tenured member of the current staff.

— Pat Kelly: He was the Louisville manager until taking over as the Reds bench coach after Bryan Price was fired. He’s managed extensively in the Reds minor league system.

— Hensley Meulens: San Francisco bench coach. Was one of six candidates for the Yankees job last offseason.

— Charlie Montoyo: Tampa Bay’s bench coach. It’s interesting the Reds interviewed two members of the Rays staff. The Rays made a bit of history by using the “the opener” to start games this year.

— Tom Prince: Pittsburgh bench coach. He, like Baldelli and Montoyo, comes from a team that really emphasizes analytics.

— Jim Riggleman: Reds interim manager. At one time, he seemed like a lock to return. But the Reds’ awful finish probably hurt his chances. Riggleman said Tuesday he’s heard nothing from the Reds since interviewing the day after the season.

