Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell given 2-year contract extension

Sept. 22 (UPI) -- The Cincinnati Reds rewarded manager David Bell with a two-year contract extension that runs through the 2023 season, the team announced Wednesday.

Bell was nearing the end of his initial three-year deal to manage the Reds. In October 2018, he agreed to a three-year contract that included a team option for 2022.

"We've been talking about it for a few days," Bell told reporters. "It's a great job. I love my job. I don't have anything to compare it to, but there is no way in the world that I could have a better situation."

Bell has guided the Reds to a 76-74 record this season, with Cincinnati currently sitting third in the National League Central. There are 10 games remaining in the season.

Under Bell, the Reds have a combined 184-190 record.

"He's done a great job with the team we have right now," Reds general manager Nick Krall said. "I think that it's just natural that he'll be leading us forward. We made the playoffs last year, we had a good run this year and still have a chance.

"I think, for us, we've got a guy in the spot that knows how to run a Major League clubhouse and a dugout, and we feel he's the right guy moving forward."

The Reds finished the pandemic-shortened 2020 season with a 31-29 mark. The Atlanta Braves swept Cincinnati 2-0 in the first round of last year's expanded MLB postseason.

The rest of the Reds' coaching staff also is expected to return for the 2022 season.