The managerial job is such that we can never perfectly quantify the impact, or even approximate it nearly as well as we can for, say, a top starting pitcher. But I think Chicago Cubs fans have long known, by virtue of having to face the Milwaukee Brewers so often, that Craig Counsell is probably a really, really valuable manager. He is probably one of the best in the game.


So with Counsel set to hit free agency after this season, it’s reasonable to expect he could be one of the most sought-after managers in recent memory.

If he actually makes himself available, that is.

As Bob Nightengale wrote at USA Today, it’s not a lock that Counsell manages at all in 2024. And even if he does, he might just re-up in Milwaukee:

Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell may not be stepping down as manager, after all.

Counsell, perhaps the leading candidate to win the NL Manager of the Year, is still trying to decide whether he wants to continue managing or take a break.

If Counsell decides to continue, he’ll certainly be the hottest commodity on the market.

He could remain in Milwaukee, where he surely would get a substantial raise. Or he could have a half-dozen teams − perhaps the New York Mets where his former boss, David Stearns, was hired to be president of baseball operations − bidding for his services.