NEWSLETTER
I have no idea how to even contextualize this news right now. It is probably the most shocked I’ve been about a non-player transaction since I’ve done this job.
The Chicago Cubs are hiring Craig Counsell, per Ken Rosenthal. Multiple sources reached out to confirm.
To say this is a dream scenario is a pretty dramatic understatement. It’s the most significant managerial poaching in years, particularly given that it TAKES AWAY one of the Milwaukee Brewers’ greatest strengths and GIVES IT TO the Chicago Cubs.
As for David Ross, the front office was expressing support as recently as a few weeks ago, but we’ve seen before – Rick Renteria and Joe Maddon – that when a superstar manager becomes available, sometimes you have to pounce. Craig Counsell, long regarded as one of the best managers in baseball – one of the best in recent memory – is exactly that. A star. And the Cubs pounced.
Will Ross be fired? Moved to a front office role? It’s really, really hard to see the latter happening, and there is going to be serious awkwardness from here regardless. Ross was not a terrible manager for the Cubs, even if he was maybe not quite perfectly aligned with what the Cubs front office was looking for. He’s also a World Series hero, and extremely popular in the clubhouse. Close with so many of the players.
I can’t believe how quiet this was. More soon on new Chicago Cubs manager, Craig Counsell. I still can’t believe I just typed that.
UPDATE: We knew Craig Counsell was going to get a monster contract this offseason no matter where he ultimately landed. We also knew that if he were going to leave Milwaukee – his literal home – it was going to take a huge deal to get it done. We ALSO knew that he was reportedly looking to reset the market for managerial salaries, since he is seen as the top free agent manager in a very long time.
Well, I’d say this qualifies as resetting the market:
For context, when the Cubs surprisingly landed Joe Maddon in a similar situation, he got a then-record five years and $25 million. Counsell and the Cubs just blew that deal out of the water.
