The Guardians have secured permission to interview Brewers manager Craig Counsell, per Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com. Cleveland had previously been reported as requesting permission from Milwaukee to interview Counsell earlier this week. While it was unclear if the Brewers would grant that permission, it’s hardly a surprise that they did so after recently offering the Mets the same courtesy. Counsell, 53, is among the most well-respected managers in the game after piloting the Brewers to a 707-625 record during his nine-year tenure that’s included five postseason appearances in the past six seasons.
Just as Counsell has other suitors beyond Cleveland in Milwaukee and Queens, the Guardians also have options outside of Counsell as they look to replace Terry Francona in the dugout. Cubs bench coach Andy Green recently interviewed for the position, and Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough, Yankees bench coach Carlos Mendoza, and Giants bullpen/catching coach Craig Albernaz have all also met with the Guardians regarding their managerial vacancy. Of that group, only Green has past experience as a big league manager aside from Counsell. While Counsell reportedly enters free agency hoping to move the ball forward for future managers around the game in terms of salary, that seems unlikely to preclude the Guardians from making a run at Counsell’s services, given Francona was the highest paid manager in the game this season, with Jon Heyman of the New York Post reporting that Francona made $4.5MM in 2023.
More from around the AL Central…
- Despite not being part of the club’s starting lineup during their postseason run, veteran catcher Christian Vazquez figures to remain a significant part of the Twins in 2024, per Bobby Nightengale of the Star Tribune. Per Nightengale, the team plans to offer roughly equal playing time to Vazquez and fellow catcher Ryan Jeffers behind the plate next year. Vazquez just wrapped up the first season of his three-year, $30MM deal with the club and suffered the worst offensive season of his career with a .223/.280/.318 slash line across 355 plate appearances. By contrast, Jeffers had a breakout season, slashing .276/.369/.490 in 335 trips to the plate. While Jeffers is clearly the stronger offensive option, Vazquez is regarded as an elite defensive catcher and Jeffers could feasibly see additional playing time at DH next year as a way to keep his bat in the lineup on days Vazquez is behind the plate.
- The Tigers had another difficult season in 2023, posting a 78-84 record and finishing 9 games out of a postseason spot. That being said, one significant bright spot for the club this year was catcher Jake Rogers, who Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press indicates has already secured his role as the club’s top option behind the plate for 2024. Rogers improved on defense in 2023 to post framing numbers in line with other quality regulars at the position like Adley Rutschman and Alejandro Kirk while also slashing a respectable .221/.286/.444 with 21 home runs in just 365 trips to the plate. Among catchers with at least 300 plate appearances in the majors this year, Rogers’s 97 wRC+ ties him with Mets rookie Francisco Alvarez for the 14th-best figure in the majors.
I wonder If some MLB club will pull a Joe Maddon swap like the Chicago Cubs did a few years ago.
That taken your current manager and fire him to hire Craicg C.
I think Craig would be great fit In Houston Astros club
But does Counsell want to interview for the guardians job? Brewers need to start interviewing replacement candidates starting with derogatory and Vogt.
De Rosa,
Obviously he does, or he wouldn’t have said yes when the Brewers asked him if they should grant such permission.
Why is it obvious?
Why do you think the Brewers asked Counsell anything?
The teams could have spoken and cut Counsell out of the decision. It can happen when two stuffy bosses cut the little minion out of decision just to see it in a position where it can only uncomfortably squirm around. I know because I used to do this to my subordinates. muhahahahha!!!!
He has stated he wants to raise salary levels for all managers, so evidently he’s planning to set the market, wherever he signs. Not worth it for the Crew, in my opinion. Time for a change anyway.
All that means is that you’re probably not a good manager in the workplace, not that you’re the smartest person in the room.
They would have asked him because what would be the point if he wasn’t interested in taking the interview?
You’re right. I wasn’t a good manager—I was a great manager.
Communication channels may not always function as expected. Especially with employees who are seemingly “on the way out”.
Would much prefer Vogt over Counsell. Time for a change.
I think McCullough might be gaining traction as the next choice for Cleveland. Counsell would be great, but his demand is pretty high.
Going to the Guardians would be like leaving the Brewers for the Brewers…
This coming from a fan base that has three last place finishes in four years… with a huge payroll
That doesn’t mean he’s wrong.
That doesn’t mean he’s right.
That doesn’t mean that you actually have a point other than contradiction.
> Going to the Guardians would be like
> leaving the Brewers for the Brewers…
My point is that the Guardians are a complete unknown. If Counsell goes from a known quantity—the Brewers—to the Guardians, everything is different. Nothing is the same. Different players, personalities to learn and get along with, coaches, managers to manage against, different home park, etc.
Which would be the case for any team he leaves Milwaukee to manage.
Why single out the Guardians?
I agree with everything in your latest comment.
What did this comment mean, then?
“That doesn’t mean he’s wrong.”
He is wrong. Guardians != Brewers
What is Jonathon LuCroy doing these days?
Also, has Tony Pena’s day come and gone? Too old school? Too low tech? I wish the Cardinals would hire him in some capacity to counter balance the stat boys.
Teams want their entire coaching staff and managers to buy into the front office’s philosophy these days. Counter balancing doesn’t seem to be on the agenda.
I’m interested to see who the Tigers target for a backup catcher. Pick up Kelly’s option, sign a new backup, promote from the minors (Dingler) or sign a free agent who can DH a bit (Garver?). Rogers has certainly earned the starting job.
Motor City Beach Bum — Or trade a bag of balls for Joey Bart.
He’s a change of scenery candidate. Bart for Baez!
That’s interesting except for Baez’ contract and his high strikeout rate.
And he was the second worst hitter in baseball. The only way someone takes him is if they pay his salary AND send a prospect along too. He’s still good defensively and should be a bench player with his hitting.
As I recall, did some people here say, “How about not booing him at all?”
Obviously, my advice was not followed. We are all such nice guys.
Rah rah! Go team!
Tiger fans are starving. Thrilled with a batter hitting over .220……
Me too, I suppose.
14th best catcher!
I like the idea of adding Garver. Solid RH bat to fill in at DH with Miggy gone and C two games a week. He won’t block a promotion if Dingler is ready, as he would just keep batting as DH. I just don’t know how HARRIS prioritizes the position yet. Will he emphasize defense or offense in the backup?
I’m betting the Rangers spend enough to secure Garver as a backup catcher/DH, although I think they don’t particularly care if he catches much
2 WS home runs later……
If Cardinals were serious about challenging in 2024 they’d throw their hat in the Counsell ring or lay the foundation for luring Schumacher back to the fold. Their current manager ain’t so hot.
You don’t like Oli Marmol?
With the Mn. Twins splitting time with their catchers you could see Ryan Jeffers getting come playing time at 1st. Base as well . More than likely with Danny Solano moving on.
I keep wondering if pobo and gm contracts can be sold or traded?