The Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs rivalry is going to have a strange look next year as Craig Counsell is the new manager in the Windy City. It’s possible that the Cubs ability to lure him away from the Brewers and their willingness to make him the highest paid manager could translate into some free agents desiring to sign with them. One theory being discussed right now is Craig Counsell and reliever Josh Hader being reunited.
Josh Hader, who was traded when Craig Counsell was managing the Brewers in 2022, is currently a free agent. This is his first time hitting the open market and there is a good chance that he will receive a record setting contract. Edwin Diaz currently has the largest contract for a reliever at five years, $102 MM.
Craig Counsell was given a record setting contract by the Chicago Cubs, could former Milwaukee Brewers reliever Josh Hader be next?
When free agency first kicked off a few weeks ago the Texas Rangers and Philadelphia Phillies were two teams linked to Josh Hader. Chicago’s name is now being thrown into the mix because of Craig Counsell’s connection to Josh Hader. Jon Morosi recently dove into this possibility by discussing it on MLB Network.
“Which manager in Major League Baseball knows how to get the best out of Josh Hader? Hmm, the guy who now manages just down the road from Milwaukee, where he was so successful for so many years, in Craig Counsell.”
“Yes, they’ve got Alzolay, who pitched quite well during the course of the season, but if you’re the Cubs and if you believe you’ve got the makings of a World Series team this year, and/or you believe you want to build out a club that Shohei Ohtani looks at and says, ‘Hey, I wanna play at Wrigley Field,’ signing Josh Hader would make you more of a World Series contender and certainly would improve your status in the Shohei Sweepstakes as well.”
Should Craig Counsell and Josh Hader reunite in Chicago it would be a big win for the Cubs and another blow for the Brewers because it would be another example of how Milwaukee operating on a small budget comes back to bite them. Branching off of that, Josh Hader signing with the Cubs may also improve Chicago’s chances of signing Shohei Ohtani or Yoshinobu Yamamoto. If Craig Counsell gets a few of these weapons then the Cubs may become favorites to win the division title.
For the latest insights and updates on the Milwaukee Brewers, including intriguing developments like Craig Counsell’s new managerial role with the Chicago Cubs and Josh Hader’s free agency, head over to our dedicated Milwaukee Brewers News section. Stay informed on all the key moves and rumors in the world of baseball!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Did Josh Hater's wife have a baby?
Yes, Josh Hader's wife, Maria Hader, gave birth to their first child in June 2022. The arrival of their baby has been a joyful addition to the family, attracting significant interest from followers of the MLB pitcher.
How much does Josh Hader make a year?
Josh Hader earns an annual salary of $14,100,000 from his current contract with the San Diego Padres. This contract guarantees his annual income, aligning with his pivotal role as a key player for the team.