The Chicago Cubs have made a surprising move by hiring Craig Counsell as their new manager, replacing David Ross. Counsell's contract, reportedly worth over $40 million for five years, makes him the highest-paid manager in MLB history. This decision has shocked the baseball world, as Counsell's earnings as a player over 16 seasons were $22 million, while his new deal will surpass that in just three seasons. The move has sparked reactions from the MLB community, with some calling it a big offseason push for the Cubs. Cubs president Jed Hoyer defended the decision, stating that it was a ruthless but necessary move to maximize wins. The Brewers owner expressed disappointment over Counsell's departure, while Counsell himself cited the need for a new challenge as the reason for his move. The hiring is seen as the first step in what could be a big offseason for the Cubs.
Craig Counsell introduced as new Cubs manager after leaving Brewers: 'There is momentum happening here' https://t.co/cby2fmALGj
Craig Counsell speaks for the first time as the manager of the Cubs 🐻 (via @WatchMarquee) https://t.co/hgyvJkk1W7
Crazy stat of the day— New Cubs manager Craig Counsell will make $8 million per year over his 5-year contract At $40 million, he'll make more over the life of his Cubs deal than he did during his 16-year playing career ($22 million) https://t.co/XWmszRpfq8
David Ross not holding Cubs grudge over Craig Counsell dump-job https://t.co/HakbASGRGl https://t.co/J3aQrCHcoW
The Chicago Cubs shook up the offseason when they hired Craig Counsell. What's next for them this offseason? @Russ_Dorsey1 joins us now on #FTLive ▶️ https://t.co/zDLYPvmPWi https://t.co/MfItK8DWzL
From @TheAthletic: Craig Counsell became the highest-paid manager in Major League Baseball after the Cubs hired him from the Brewers. Almost no one knew it was coming. “I am not sure what’s more shocking — where he landed or how much he got.” https://t.co/uRtM0mQWcd
Hiring Craig Counsell may not be a sign that the Cubs are going to win multiple biddings wars over the course of the winter, but it's clear that it has to be the first step in a big offseason. https://t.co/z7XZd7IhMx
“We left wins on the table.” The day after blindsiding David Ross, Cubs president Jed Hoyer was not at all conflicted about the ruthless decision to hire Craig Counsell as baseball’s highest-paid manager. “You have to be willing to take risks.”⬇️ https://t.co/8gzzVnlMUZ
Craig Counsell reveals reason for stunning Cubs move: ‘Needed a new challenge’ https://t.co/2sTY9fJZZD https://t.co/J5ZXetCv1R
Craig Counsell defends shocking move to Cubs: 'I needed' a new challenge. 👀 https://t.co/JPEzNOpZ2X https://t.co/x04KaELPO8
Someone in Milwaukee was NOT happy that Craig Counsell left for the rival Cubs. 😳 (📸: @journalsentinel) https://t.co/051kKBSA6a
The Chicago Cubs just hired Craig Counsell to be their new manager, giving him the biggest contract for a manager in MLB history Amazingly, it’s even more than any of the Oakland A’s players made this season. No, seriously. https://t.co/Wht0ANHZuQ
Cubs president Jed Hoyer explains the decision to fire David Ross and hire Craig Counsell: “My job is to figure out how to win as many games as we possibly can in the short term and the long term. There was nothing about this move that I didn’t feel like met that criteria.”
Does Craig Counsell to the @Cubs signal a big offseason push in Chicago? ▶️ https://t.co/5OyRdnxQjy https://t.co/lluT7vCVDA
From @TheAthletic: This is how the Cubs scooped up Craig Counsell, the best available manager, and shocked the baseball world. https://t.co/b8rsmqxuSS
Why Cubs' Craig Counsell hire should just be the start of aggressive offseason in Chicago https://t.co/RhAOp2b13T
Cubs new manager 🎰 Craig Counsell https://t.co/eDZj8NBh3P
'Craig has lost us and he’s lost our community:' #Brewers owner Mark Attanasio discusses Craig Counsell's departure https://t.co/lgolHwS24X via @journalsentinel
Cubs, Craig Counsell make a statement that managers still matter. 😤 https://t.co/J5Ibv6vrcD (via @Travis_Sawchik) https://t.co/e3iOGb3Q9v
"Craig Lost Us and Lost Our Community" - Brewers Owner Mark Attanasio Lost His Mind Over Craig Counsell Joining The Cubs @barstoolcarl https://t.co/39fn6bHIsE
"Craig Lost Us and Lost Our Community" - Brewers Owner Mark Attanasio Lost His Mind Over Craig Counsell Joining The Cubs https://t.co/8OikN3mesT https://t.co/k9Z3oR9Xx7
It's unclear if Craig Counsell gave the Mets a chance to match the Cubs' offer. But the Mets' bid was significantly lower than the $40 million over five years he received.
"We've lost Craig, but I've reflected on this. Craig has lost us and lost our community." Brewers owner Mark Attanasio speaking to the Media about the Cubs hiring Craig Counsell (Via @CyrtHogg ) https://t.co/EsMaBqXILe
Cubs hire Craig Counsell: Brewers players 'shocked' after longtime manager leaves to join division rival https://t.co/8JRZ70noX4
Craig Counsell leaving the #Brewers is not a surprise. Counsell becoming the manager of the #Cubs is a huge surprise. #MLB #ThisIsMyCrew #FlyTheL
In talking to some trusted baseball sources this afternoon about the #Cubs hiring Craig Counsell, it goes without saying how badly they wanted Counsell —enough to fire a World Series hero. But what shouldn’t be ignored is how much Counsell wanted to manage the Cubs. Big factor.
No One On Earth Predicted The Cubs Would Fire David Ross To Hire Craig Counsell https://t.co/s7cyW0akBH https://t.co/Jhx0Qimm8J
Craig Counsell is reportedly being hired as the next manager of the Chicago Cubs. 👀 We've got the stats on his managerial tendencies—including stolen bases, sac bunts, substitutions and more: https://t.co/OLx8MsYdY0 https://t.co/olgcHmg5fv
Already people calling Craig Counsell a traitor for leaving his hometown to manage the Cubs. That’s BS. This one’s squarely on the #Brewers. Cubs offered Powerball-ticket money and a franchise that isn’t afraid to spend to win. Brewers couldn’t — or wouldn’t — match either one.
Shocking the baseball world, the Cubs fired David Ross and hired Craig Counsell away from the Brewers with a five-year deal worth more than $40 million, making him the game’s highest-paid manager. Story with @Ken_Rosenthal and @sahadevsharma:⬇️ https://t.co/rDGNuYFQgt
Cubs to make $40m Craig Counsell highest paid MLB manager in history https://t.co/YYkZlrRIdC
Craig Counsell earned $22 million in 16 seasons as an MLB player. His new $40M deal to become the Cubs' manager will pay him more than that in 3 seasons. https://t.co/5MjzOrvuvN
The Chicago Cubs have fired David Ross as their manager, replacing him with the Milwaukee Brewers' Craig Counsell, according to a report by The Athletic. https://t.co/Pmo3CmCpox
With Craig Counsell as the new manager, I fully expect the Cubs to make some big moves this offseason.
Before Craig Counsell agreed to an $8M-a-year salary with the Chicago Cubs, the highest-paid manager in MLB was $4.5M. For context, other sports: NFL: Bill Belichick, $20M NBA: Monty Williams, $13.05M CFB: Nick Saban, $11.4M CBB: John Calipari, $8.5M NHL: Todd McLellan, $5M
MLB world reacts to David Ross losing Cubs manager job to Craig Counsell in wild move https://t.co/Kaqjz4Tl3C
The Cubs make it official: David Ross is out as manager, replaced by Craig Counsell. https://t.co/siOip16hfI
From @TheAthletic: The Cubs are hiring Craig Counsell away from the Brewers, people familiar with the deal said. Counsell is said to be signing a contract that would make him the highest-paid manager in MLB. https://t.co/Psf8CjWZF1
Chicago Cubs finally act like a big market team, hire Craig Counsell as manager https://t.co/gsAaeLrakU
Craig Counsell to the Brewers when he heard the Cubs were offering $8M a year https://t.co/7r3cxSCxwf
Craig Counsell's earnings as a player: $22 million Craig Counsell's deal to manage the Cubs: $40 million (h/t @Brandon_N_Wile) https://t.co/fESjqROubY
Cubs fire David Ross as manager and hire Craig Counsell in shocking move https://t.co/PjhNGBxADR