(670 The Score) In a stunning move, the Cubs have tabbed Craig Counsell to be their new manager, according to multiple reports Monday afternoon.
Counsell will replace David Ross, who had been the Cubs’ manager since 2020. Ross was still under contract for one more season, and the club also held an option on him for 2025. Counsell agreed to a five-year deal worth more than $40 million, Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic reported. The average annual salary of more than $8 million is the most ever for a manager in MLB history, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported.
Counsell, 53, is considered one of the best managers in MLB and hit the open market after his contract with the Brewers expired at the end of this past season. Counsell managed the Brewers from 2015-’23, compiling a 707-625 record (.531 wining percentage). He guided Milwaukee to the playoff five times in those nine seasons, including the National League Championship Series in 2018. The Brewers won the NL Central in 2018 and 2021.
Counsell had been under contract with the Brewers through Oct. 31. If they Cubs had wanted to talk with him prior to that, they would've needed to ask the Brewers for permission. They never did that, ESPN reported, meaning his hiring unfolded quickly in the past several days.
Counsell will take over a Cubs team that contended for a wild-card berth in 2023 before collapsing down the stretch and finishing 83-79.
Ross, 46, went 262-284 (.480) in four seasons leading the Cubs, who reached the playoffs in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.