When Craig Counsell became a free agent, there was a feeling the manager wanted out of Milwaukee. We thought it would benefit the Mets, but ultimately he chose the Cubs.
And this, despite the respect he has for David Ross.
Looking back, we understand why he chose the Cubs. The club has money, is prestigious, is close to home, is going in the right direction, etc.
The reasons are numerous.
It was a shock basically because the club is an enemy of the Brewers and because the club had a manager, but oh well.
Counsell, who was introduced to the media on Monday, says he’s a little scared about his new challenge, but also wanted to get out of his comfort zone.
That being said, the more I listen to him talk, the more I tell myself that leaving Milwaukee must really be a project that he has been toying with for a while.
For what? Not because he didn’t like the Brewers, but because of the circumstances.
When we listen to Counsell, we say to ourselves that the manager must indeed have been fed up with the uncertainty that still surrounds the Brewers.
In Chicago, he will not have to fear seeing his closer be traded if he is in the running. He obviously didn’t say that to the press… but to me, that’s the subtext of his comments.
The Brewers are still managing the money. All the guys on the roster would also be available right now (at the right price) on the Wisconsin side.
The club often trades crowd favorites. The club is fighting for funding for a new ballpark.
It’s never easy in Milwaukee and I honestly wonder how tired he was of it. It won’t be the same song in Milwaukee.
I think it’s hard, right now, to blame him for choosing to leave Milwaukee for the Chicago Cubs.
- The Red Sox have their new hitting coach.
- The owner of the A’s complains that life is not easy.
