MLB Fans Scoff at Brewers GM Being ‘Shocked’ at Craig Counsell Leaving for Cubs

Craig Counsell began baseball’s offseason with a stunning decision, leaving the Brewers to become the Cubs’ new manager. 

The assumption throughout MLB was that Counsell would join his former general manager David Stearns with the Mets. And no one even knew the Cubs were a possibility as David Ross was still their manager. But the opportunity for a new challenge that allowed Counsell to stay close to his Wisconsin home was appealing. 

Getting a significant raise to become the highest-paid manager in baseball was also a very attractive reason for changing jobs. Most of the surprise over Counsell’s decision faded amid reports that the Cubs agreed to pay him $8 million per season. The record-high salary more than doubles what Counsell earned with Milwaukee.

Milwaukee Brewers general manager Matt Arnold is now looking for a new manager after Craig Counsell’s unexpected departure for the rival Chicago Cubs.

Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports

During this week’s GM meetings in Scottsdale, Ariz., Brewers general manager Matt Arnold was asked to describe his reaction to Counsell going to the Cubs. He echoed the reaction among baseball fans. 

“Very shocked,” Arnold said, via ESPN’s Jesse Rogers. “We’ve been super supportive of him and his opportunity to assess the market. That was up to him.”

Arnold probably thought he had public sentiment on his side, especially from Brewers fans surprised that Counsell would move to an intra-division rival. However, there was little sympathy on social media for management expressing shock that an employee would leave for a much larger salary. Check out some of the responses:

Arnold and the Brewers reportedly offered Counsell a contract that made him the highest-paid manager in baseball. Perhaps they believed that seeking a change might compel him to leave, though likely not for the big-market grind of New York. 

But then the Cubs came in with an unexpected offer that completely changed the pay scale for major-league managers. Judging from the reaction, few non-Brewers fans begrudge Counsell for taking a far bigger paycheck.