Craig Counsell’s Contract Expiring Soon, Future With The Brewers Murky

By Jordan Long

The  Milwaukee Brewers finished the regular season at 92-70, winning the National League Central Division for the first time since 2021, making the postseason for the 5th time in 6 years.     They were swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Wild Card Series. Unfortunately, it was another quick exit and  Manager Craig Counsell’s future with the team is up in the air.

            Counsell has been the Brewers’ Manager since 2015.  He replaced Ron Roenicke who was let go 25 games into the 2015 season.  Roenicke’s record with the Brewers was 342-331 a winning percentage of .508.  The Brewers earned a playoff spot once under Roenicke, 2011.  They were knocked out in the National League Championship Series to the St. Louis Cardinals.  When the Brewers fired Roenicke, their record was 7-18.

            The Brewers were hoping Counsell would turn the year around.  The Brewers were 61-76 the rest of the season with Counsell as Manager. They ended 2015 with a record of 68-94.  The Brewers saw enough to keep Counsell around.

            Counsell has an outstanding record of 707-625 as the Brewers’ Manager.  Milwaukee has earned a playoff spot 5 times under Counsell including this year.  The problem is Milwaukee hasn’t made it to the World Series.  The furthest they advanced was in 2018.  Milwaukee was beaten by the L.A. Dodgers in the National League Championship series in 7 games.

            Milwaukee has a decision to make with Counsell.  His contract is set to expire at the end of the month. According to mlb.com, General Manager Matt Arnold said, “I’m excited about having those conversations with him and looking forward to hopefully having some news for you guys soon, if possible. Either way, we’re going to be prepared to have a manager next year, if it’s not Craig. But I want to keep every line open for communication here as much as we can because he’s our top choice here for sure.” 

            The Brewers would be foolish to let Counsell go.  He has been one of the best managers in MLB.  He has turned this franchise into a winner during the regular season. Sure, the results aren’t there in the playoffs but getting to the postseason allows the team to do something special.  If the Brewers turn him down before the end of the month, another franchise will pick him up.  The ball is really in the Brewers’ court.