The Milwaukee Brewers acquired veteran player Mark Canha from the New York Mets at last year’s trade deadline. He became a valuable asset for manager Craig Counsell and played nearly everyday until the conclusion of the season. Now the future of both Mark Canha and Craig Counsell with the Brew Crew is up in the air.
Mark Canha has a pending $11.50 MM club option that Milwaukee has to decide on. Craig Counsell on the other hand has an expiring contract and as of November 1 he will be free to talk to any organization without permission from the Brewers. The New York Mets have already asked and received permission to interview him.
Recently Mark Canha discussed Craig Counsell with Andy Martino SportsNet New York and gave his opinion on his managerial style and if he would succeed with the Mets.
Mark Canha, formerly of the New York Mets and currently with the Milwaukee Brewers, speaks out regarding Craig Counsell.
Andy Martino asked Mark Canha two questions. They were, “Explain to someone who does not watch the Brewers every day why Counsell is considered a top manager and would he succeed in Queens?” Here are the answers that Mark Canha provided.
“He reminds me a lot of Bob Melvin. As a manager, it is important to have a balance between having your hand on the wheel and also being able to get out of the way and let players blossom and figure things out on their own. But at the same time not just being aloof. There is a fine line there. And I think Craig, like Bob Melvin, really understands how to balance that.”
“The Brewers had a very young team when I got there. A lot of rookies playing every day. The way that he and that staff had the young guys working, it was a system. There was a structure to it, and it was a well-oiled machine, so to speak. And then the way he communicates and lets the older players do their thing, but also at the same time holds everybody accountable, I really liked that.”
“You watch him, and the way he carries himself in the dugout — it’s just laid back. It creates an environment that is comfortable to play under. It’s laid back, with an understanding that we have a certain level of expectations of what we’re going to do every day, and how we’re going to carry out our business every day, in terms of preparation.”
“I don’t anticipate [New York] would be a problem for him. The guy played for a lot of years. He is accustomed to performing under pressure, and I don’t see how that changes when you’re in New York. Milwaukee and New York are two very different places with two very different levels of pressure, undoubtedly.
“But I think a guy like Counsell would be great. He would be able to carry that relaxed vibe in. If he could carry that into New York, that would be very helpful.
