(670 The Score) In a stunning move, the Cubs have hired Craig Counsell to be their new manager and fired David Ross, the club announced Monday afternoon.
Counsell agreed to a five-year deal worth more than $40 million, sources told 670 The Score reporter Bruce Levine. The $8 million average annual salary is the most ever for a manager in MLB history. Counsell will replace 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.
“Today we made the difficult decision to dismiss David Ross as our major league manager,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said in a statement Monday. “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.”
Counsell, 53, is considered one of the best managers in MLB and hit the open market after his contract with the Brewers expired recently. 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. Prior to that, the Brewers had granted the Mets and Guardians permission to interview Counsell, sources told Levine. But with Ross in place as their manager, the Cubs waited patiently and didn't make contact with Counsell until last Wednesday, the first day that Counsell was out of contract, sources said. Counsell had plenty of leverage in negotiations, because the Mets were also ready to make him the highest-paid manager in MLB history, sources said. Counsell managed the Brewers when new Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns was the lead executive in Milwaukee.
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.
Ross received the news of his firing in person from Hoyer, who flew to Florida and then informed Ross on Monday morning, sources told Levine.