Chicago Cubs Hire Longtime Milwaukee Brewers Manager Craig Counsell As New Manager In $40 Million Deal

After firing David Ross, the Chicago Cubs have found their next manager in Craig Counsell. 

Counsell has signed a deal worth $40 million over the next five years, which makes it the highest salary for any MLB manager. 

Jed Hoyer, the president of the Cubs organization, issued a statement on the hiring.

“Today we made the difficult decision to dismiss David Ross as our Major League Manager. On behalf of the Cubs organization, we express our deep gratitude for David’s contributions to our club, both on and off the field. First as a player and then as a manager, David continually showcased his ability to lead. David’s legacy will be felt in Chicago for generations and his impact to our organization will stack up with the legends that came before him. Going forward, our Major League team will be managed by Craig Counsell. We look forward to welcoming Craig at Wrigley Field early next week,” Hoyer said.

During his nine seasons with the Brewers, Counsell led the team to five playoff appearances. He also won three division titles with the Brewers. Despite this success, the Brewers only won a single postseason series under his reign when they swept the Colorado Rockies in the 2018 Division Series. 

After Counsell’s contract ended in 2023, many teams pursued his contract, including the Mets, Brewers and the Guardians.

Counsell’s decision has sent shockwaves across the MLB world, as he joins the Brewers’ NL Central rivals.

He spent the past 17 years with the organization not only as a manager but as a player and an executive as well.