The Cincinnati Reds are reportedly considering several options for their 2016 coaching staff, including whether to retain manager Bryan Price. No final decisions are expected until after the regular season comes to a close.
Continue for updates.
Team Legend Larkin a Potential Managerial Replacement
Tuesday, Sept. 29
Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported the Reds are discussing alternatives, which include keeping Price and altering his staff or changing managers and starting fresh. Barry Larkin, who made 12 All-Star teams during a nearly two-decade career with the organization, is viewed as a possible new manager.
Price joined the Reds in 2009 as the team’s pitching coach after filling the same role with the Seattle Mariners and the Arizona Diamondbacks. He took over as manager following the 2013 season after the team decided to let Dusty Baker go.
He’s failed to get the team back on the right track. The Reds finished in fourth place in the National League Central last season with a 76-86 record and currently sit in the division’s basement at 63-93 with six games left in the season.
Rosenthal stated the team’s current nine-game losing streak means the front office is “renewing the possibility” of moving forward without Price.
If Cincinnati decides against the managerial switch, pitching coach Jeff Pico headlines the list of staff members who could get dismissed, according to Rosenthal‘s report.
Hiring Larkin would probably do wonders in terms of energizing the fanbase, but his managerial experience is limited to working with Brazil for the World Baseball Classic. He also declined an interview with the Detroit Tigers in 2013, citing the time commitment the job mandates.
Regardless of who fills the manager spot, the Reds must get more production from hitters not named Joey Votto and more consistency from their starting rotation to find success. That onus lands just as much on general manager Walt Jocketty as it does on Price.
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