Jason Bell is reportedly leaving the Houston Astros to join the Boston Red Sox’s major-league coaching staff. Boston is expected to use Bell as its outfield instructor, although his exact title and any additional responsibilities have not been determined.
The reported move is notable because the Astros announced October 14 that Bell would be retained for the 2027 season. Instead, Houston appears set to lose a coach who spent 10 seasons in the organization and held roles throughout its player-development system before joining the major-league staff.
Bell’s Long Astros Tenure Nears Its End
Bell joined the Astros in 2017 as a development coach and managed at the short-season Class A level the following year. He served as Houston’s minor-league field coordinator from 2019 through 2023 and added assistant director of player development to his responsibilities in 2023.
The former college pitcher joined the Astros’ major-league staff in 2024 as quality assurance coach under Joe Espada. Bell continued working with Houston’s outfielders and helping coordinate spring training before becoming the club’s major-league field coordinator and outfield coach in 2026.
Bell did not play professionally, but he built his coaching career through a combination of college baseball, analytics, and player development. He earned a master’s degree in kinesiology from Central Missouri and wrote his thesis about the Astros while interning with Baseball Info Solutions.
Astros Had Planned to Retain Bell
Bell’s reported departure comes two weeks after the Astros announced that Espada and five members of his coaching staff would not return. Houston said Bell would remain alongside pitching coach Josh Miller, hitting coach Victor Rodriguez, first-base coach Dave Clark, and bullpen catcher Javier Bracamonte.
Catching instructor Tim Cossins, game-planning coach Tommy Kawamura, third-base coach Tony Perezchica, assistant hitting coach Anthony Iapoce, and assistant pitching coach Ethan Katz were not retained. Bench coach Omar López was offered an opportunity to stay in the organization in a different role.
The move would leave Houston with another opening on a staff that already requires significant reconstruction. The Astros have not hired a general manager or manager, leaving the future structure of the coaching staff unsettled.
Boston Adds an Experienced Outfield Instructor
Bell is expected to join a Red Sox organization that featured one of baseball’s strongest defensive outfields in 2026. His reported role would involve working with a group that includes Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran, and Roman Anthony.
Abreu, a former Astros prospect, spent time in Houston’s player-development system while Bell was the organization’s minor-league field coordinator. Bell’s decade of experience in Houston’s development program would give Boston an instructor who has worked at nearly every level of an organization.
Neither club nor Bell has formally announced the move. The reported departure would nevertheless add another vacancy to an Astros organization already rebuilding its front office, managerial staff, and coaching structure for 2027.
