Craig Counsell’s contract is set to expire. It would be a mistake for Brewers to let him walk.

The day that the Milwaukee Brewers had hoped would never arrive is finally here. Craig Counsell, the team’s highly successful manager and the franchise’s all-time wins leader, is about to become a free agent. After his contract with Milwaukee expires on Wednesday, he will be free to negotiate and sign with any team.

Counsell has already begun the job hunt, with the Cleveland Guardians and New York Mets already granted permission to interview him. The Houston Astros have also expressed interest, but it is unknown how serious their pursuit will be.

There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding Counsell’s decision. The Mets are expected to make a lucrative offer, and the Guardians have shown a willingness to pay top dollar for a manager. Internally, the Brewers are in a state of flux, as they have started the process of interviewing potential replacements.

However, there is still hope for the Brewers. Counsell is reportedly interested in remaining in Milwaukee, but the offer he received from the team was not in line with what he could expect on the open market. While there is optimism that Counsell will re-sign with the Brewers, it will likely require them to match or exceed offers from other teams, particularly the Mets.

Retaining Counsell is not just about winning games. It is also about sending a message that the Brewers are willing to compete financially with bigger-market teams. Milwaukee may not be able to afford top-tier free-agent players, but they can afford to pay one of the best managers in baseball.

The Brewers have an opportunity to compete at the top of the market for Counsell’s services. By giving him a raise that is in line with what they pay replacement-level players on the field, they can show their commitment to keeping him as their manager.

Throughout this process, the Brewers have expressed their desire to keep Counsell on board. Now is the time for them to prove it by making him a competitive offer.

Reference

David Rodriguez

David Rodriguez brings the excitement of Major League Baseball to readers. With a deep appreciation for America’s pastime, he covers the latest MLB news, scores, and player achievements, keeping fans up to date with their favorite teams and players.