The Cincinnati Reds are set to hire Terry Francona as their new manager, following the dismissal of David Bell at the end of the 2024 season. Francona, who took a year off after leaving the Cleveland Guardians, is well-respected in the baseball community, having led teams such as the Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, and Guardians over a 23-year career. Known for ending the Red Sox's 86-year World Series drought with titles in 2004 and 2007, Francona also led the Guardians to several playoff appearances, including a World Series run in 2016. His hiring signals the Reds' commitment to building a competitive team, despite Francona's previous departure due to health issues. The official announcement of Francona's new role is expected shortly, as reported by multiple sources including MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. Francona's return to the Reds, where he played briefly in 1987, is seen as a positive move by fans and sports analysts alike.