The Cincinnati Reds have hired Terry Francona to be their next manager, the team announced on Friday. Francona's contract is a three-year deal with an option for a fourth, suggesting he won't be a short-term addition to the Reds dugout. The Reds fired manager David Bell with a week remaining in the regular season.

Luke (Maile) had an opportunity to play with him in Cleveland,” Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson said, “and I remember when we were in Chicago after all this went down, he had nothing but positive things to say about Terry (Francona) and just raved about him.

Terry Francona has been hired to manage the Cincinnati Reds, returning to the major leagues a year after he stepped down in Cleveland because of health reasons