The everlasting rumors swirling around Craig Counsell leaving the Milwaukee Brewers start to become more of a reality as more news comes out about teams being granted permission to interview him.
First it was the New York Mets, now, the Cleveland Guardians have gotten a yes in interviewing Milwaukee’s skipper.
Guardians to Potentially Interview Brewers Manager
Though his contract technically isn’t up until Oct. 31, teams have already been coming forward asking to interview Counsell. On Wednesday, the Guardians had only asked for permission to interview him after Terry Francona decided to step down from his role after 11 seasons.
According to @WillSammon, the Cleveland Guardians have also asked the Brewers permission to speak with Craig Counsell. https://t.co/gvwRy7Hojp pic.twitter.com/PdJ0xr5CBB
— Hunter Baumgardt (@hunterbonair) October 25, 2023
Under Francona, the Guardians made the playoffs four times including a World Series appearance in 2016.
If you recall a few days ago, former Brewers catcher Stephen Vogt was also being linked to the Guardians in their managerial search as a serious candidate. The Guardians have also interviewed Chicago Cubs bench coach and former manager for the San Diego Padres Andy Green, respectively.
Craig Counsell is probably one of the most popular ‘free agents’ in the baseball world right now. With the Brewers not in the postseason after a quick first-round exit, all the talk has been whether or not Counsell will return and renew his contract in the 414.
Couns was hired as Milwaukee’s manager in 2015, just 25 games into the season after they fired Ron Roenicke, who’s Brewers team at the time held the worst record across all MLB at 7-18.
In his eight plus seasons as the Brewers’ manager, Counsell has led his team to the postseason five times, snagged two NL Central pennants, and made it just one game shy of the World Series in 2018. His record as a manager with the crew stands at 707-625, the most wins in Brewers history.
The better option of the two (Mets and Guardians) for Couns would be the Guardians; Closer to home, another small market team, and Francona was one of the highest paid managers in the league, which would be a plus for Counsell, who reports have said wants to set a new standard for manager salaries.
It seems like this process could drag out for a while if Milwaukee isn’t able to retain Counsell come the expiration of his contract in just a few short days. Though, it wouldn’t be surprising if the crew started exploring the market, looking for new managerial candidates themselves.
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