After coming up one game shy of the MLB playoffs, the Chicago Cubs decided it was time for a change this offseason. With that in mind, the Cubs recently announced that they are firing manager David Ross after four seasons with the team and replacing him with former Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell. The Cubs are making Counsell the highest-paid manager in MLB history.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that Counsell’s contract is a five-year pact worth $40 million. Counsell’s $8 million annual salary narrowly beats out Hall of Fame manager Joe Torre and his $7.5 million annual salary as a member of the New York Yankees. It is a big investment for a Cubs franchise that is looking to get back to the postseason for the first time since 2020.
Counsell established himself as one of the MLB’s best managers during his nine-year stint with the Brewers. He posted a 707-625 record in nine seasons, leading the Brewers to five playoff appearances. In 2018, Counsell and the Brewers were one game away from a World Series Appearance before losing 5-1 to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7 of the NLCS.
Before he was a manager, Counsell spent 16 seasons in the MLB as an infielder for the Brewers, Dodgers, Miami (then Florida) Marlins, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Colorado Rockies. During his time as a player, Counsell won two World Series titles. His first title came in 1997 as a member of the Marlins and his second came with the Diamondbacks in 2021.
Now, Counsell is seeking to win his first World Series as a manager for the Cubs and the expectations to do so are higher than ever given the salary he is commanding.
