The Chicago Cubs pulled off an absolute coup Monday afternoon when they reportedly hired former Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell.
Monday began with Jon Heyman of The New York Post tweeting that Counsell had made his decision and it would be announced shortly.
The New York Mets and Brewers were reportedly the finalists.
Craig Counsell has decided which team he will manage. Announcèment should come this afternoon. Mets and Brewers are certainly finalists.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 6, 2023
Shortly after, the Mets reportedly hired New York Yankees bench coach Carlos Mendoza, leading many to believe that this meant Counsell would remain with the Brewers, the team he has managed since 2015.
However, ESPN’s Jeff Passan immediately noted that Counsell could be leaving Milwaukee for another job, but not with the Mets.
There is growing belief that Craig Counsell could be leaving Milwaukee for another managerial job, sources tell ESPN. It will not be the Mets, who just hired Carlos Mendoza.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 6, 2023
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal then chimed in that Counsell would be going to a team with an existing manager, taking the Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels, and San Diego Padres out of the equation.
Craig Counsell will manage next season, but NOT the Brewers or Mets, sources tell @TheAthletic. He is heading to a team with an existing manager. Mets hiring Carlos Mendoza, per @Joelsherman1 and @JonHeyman
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 6, 2023
Shortly after that, Rosenthal reported that the Chicago Cubs came from out of nowhere to hire Counsell, replacing David Ross, who had managed the team for the past four seasons.
Cubs hiring Counsell, sources tell @TheAthletic
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 6, 2023
Rosenthal also reported that Counsell will be MLB’s highest-paid manager under his new deal.
Counsell getting five-year contract from Cubs worth more than $40M, league sources tell @TheAthletic. Will be highest-paid manager.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 6, 2023
In his nine seasons in Milwaukee, Counsell managed the team to a 707-625 (.531) record, including five playoff appearances, which came in the past six years.
Social media had plenty to say about the stunning news.
Off the top of my head, this may be the most shocked I've ever been by any Brewers news. https://t.co/xgxWJHwcPs
— Jack Stern (@ByJackStern) November 6, 2023
Hard to believe the Cubs lost faith in David Ross and his bold managerial strategy of consistently doing dumb things. https://t.co/JN5IrrvdYa
— Jay Rigdon (@jayrigdon5) November 6, 2023
The Cubs world series was so long ago that they already got desperate enough to bring in a guy from the team to manage the club as a nostalgia play and then felt comfortable hiring someone over him before letting the public know he was gone https://t.co/CJXKJMhz9p
— Fred Smith (@FredSmith914) November 6, 2023
Yes, this is a sign the #Cubs are adding some high-end talent via FA/trade this off season. But it's also a sign that Counsell thinks the Cubs are situated nicely with a mix of big league talent and a top 5 farm system to have an extended playoff window. https://t.co/sFv6lZPaTf
— Kevin Will (@CubsProspector) November 6, 2023
[Jon Heyman] [Jeff Passan] [Ken Rosenthal]
