MLB: Blue Jays hire former Reds manager David Bell

The Toronto Blue Jays have hired former Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell as vice president of baseball operations and assistant general manager.

The Jays made the announcement in a press release on Friday.

Bell will be responsible for player development as well as the physical and mental performance departments. He will also participate in strategic planning as well as player evaluations and acquisitions, the team said.

He will report to Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Ross Atkins.

Bell spent the last six seasons as manager of the Reds. Prior to that, he spent a decade working in various coaching and player development roles with the Reds, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants organizations.

He played 17 professional seasons as an infielder with six different organizations, including the Buffalo Bisons, the Blue Jays’ AAA affiliate, in 1995.