One of the top priorities for New York Mets first-year president of baseball operations David Stearns is to hire a new manager after Buck Showalter’s dismissal. So far signs point to Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell being the Mets’ top target to take over in New York.
Counsell saw his contract with the Brewers expire on Tuesday. While there’s an interest from other teams, such as the Mets and Cleveland Guardians, both of whom he’s already interviewed with, there’s no guarantee Counsell is ready to move on from Milwaukee either.
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Counsell is giving the Brewers a chance to match the top contract offer he receives. Yet, sources also noted Counsell is looking to “reset the market” for managers and “will not be compelled to take a hometown discount” for the team he’s managed since 2015.
If the Brewers are not willing to pay Counsell what’s expected to be a record-breaking salary, he will be managing another team in 2024.
With organizations such as the Mets already involved, Counsell may very well set a new bar, becoming MLB’s highest-paid manager. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel also mentioned the Houston Astros as another possibility after Dusty Baker’s retirement.
- Craig Counsell’s managerial record: 707-625 (.531 W/L) 92-70 in 2023
Counsell is reportedly looking to “at least double” his previous salary of $3.5 million, which was already in the top tier of managerial pay. The report suggests Cleveland’s Terry Francona was the highest-paid manager in baseball at $5 million in 2023, but Counsell is seeking at least $7 million.
Having managed the Brewers to the playoffs in five of the past six seasons, Counsell is entering free agency at an opportune time. Negotiations between Counsell and the Brewers are expected to heat up soon with MLB Winter Meetings taking place from Nov. 7-9.
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