The 2019 Cincinnati Reds season was the milestone 150th (Sequicentennial) season for the franchise in Major League Baseball, and their 17th at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. The Reds were eliminated from playoff contention on September 16 after a loss to the Chicago Cubs. Offseason Coaching Staff October 21, 2018: Cincinnati native and former third baseman David Bell was hired as the 63rd manager in franchise history. The contract spans three years with a club option for a fourth. November 2, 2018: Derek Johnson named pitching coach. Johnson was previously the pitching coach for the Milwaukee Brewers from 2016 to 2018. November 6, 2018: Turner Ward named hitting coach. Ward was previously the hitting coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2016 to 2018. Trades November 12, 2018: Traded reliever Tanner Rainey to the Washington Nationals for right-handed pitcher Tanner Roark. December 21, 2018: Traded right-handed pitcher Homer Bailey and two minor leaguers, Jeter Downs, and Josiah Gray to the Dodgers for outfielders Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig, left-handed pitcher Alex Wood, catcher/infielder Kyle Farmer and cash considerations. The Dodgers subsequently released Bailey the same day. December 30, 2018: Traded left-handed reliever Robby Scott to the Arizona Diamondbacks for cash. Scott was claimed off waivers on December 10, but was then designated for assignment on December 21, following the trade with the Dodgers. January 21, 2019: Traded minor league second baseman Shed Long and a competitive balance draft pick in the 2019 MLB Draft to the New York Yankees for starting pitcher Sonny Gray and minor league left-handed pitcher Reiver Sanmartin. Long was then traded to the Seattle Mariners. Gray signed a three-year, $30.5 million contract extension through 2022, with a $12 million club option for 2023. Signings January 10, 2019: Signed backup catcher Curt Casali to a one-year, $950,000 contract, avoiding arbitration. January 11, 2019: Signed six players to one-year contracts, avoiding arbitration, starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani, $2.125 million; second baseman Scooter Gennett, $9.775 million; right-handed pitcher Michael Lorenzen, $1.95 million; shortstop José Peraza, $2.775 million; outfielder Yasiel Puig, $9.7 million; starting pitcher Tanner Roark, $10 million. February 11, 2019: Signed free-agent reliever Zach Duke to a one-year, $2 million contract. This will be Duke's second stint with the Reds after pitching with the team during the 2013 season. February 13, 2019: Pitcher Alex Wood won his arbitration case over the club and will earn $9.65 million on