The Chicago Cubs are hiring Craig Counsell to be their manager for the next five seasons.
It was a shocking move, since the Cubs already had David Ross as their skipper.
And not only did they land Counsell, but they also are making him the highest paid manager in the game.
MLB insider Bob Nightengale has the details on Counsell’s deal.
“Craig Counsell now becomes the highest-paid manager in history: 5 years, $40 million. There is no other manager in baseball earning more than $4.5 million a year,” he tweeted.
Craig Counsell now becomes the highest-paid manager in history: 5 years, $40 million.
There is no other manager in baseball earning more than $4.5 million a year.— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 6, 2023
Basically, the Cubs woke up on Monday and gave him an offer he couldn’t refuse, and it’s hard to blame him.
He will now be making almost twice as much as the next manager on the highest-paid list.
It’s a unique contract not only on the money, but also because it’s longer than your average managerial hire.
Counsell was believed to be deciding between his team from 2015-23, the Milwaukee Brewers, and the New York Mets, where his former boss David Stearns is currently the president of baseball operations.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the circumstances and conditions of Counsell’s hiring by the Cubs could help shape a better future for MLB managers.
“Craig Counsell’s $8 million-a-year deal with the Chicago Cubs is an industry-shaking deal. In recent years, multiple coaches have pointed out that it’s more lucrative financially to take a job with a college program than an MLB team. Counsell’s deal could help change that in MLB,” he said.
Craig Counsell’s $8 million-a-year deal with the Chicago Cubs is an industry-shaking deal. In recent years, multiple coaches have pointed out that it’s more lucrative financially to take a job with a college program than an MLB team. Counsell’s deal could help change that in MLB.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 6, 2023
Premium talent costs money and the Cubs were certainly willing to lure Counsell in at any cost.
He could be the missing piece for a long postseason run.
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