Brewers ace comments on manager Craig Counsell's future

According to reports Counsell will remain under contract with the Brewers until the end of October. If he doesn’t provide a decision by the end of the month to continue managing in Milwaukee, the thought is that he will be a highly coveted free-agent manager and could command some big money. Burnes confirmed these thoughts on Foul Territory TV.

“He hasn’t tipped his hand. I would find it difficult for him to leave and go somewhere else. Does he take a couple years off to spend time with his family? That is definitely a possibility. Wouldn’t count that out.

“I think if talks keep going long enough there is that possibility that a team comes and offers some stupid number. But I think in the end he takes that number and if the Brewers can match it or at least get close, I think he goes back to Milwaukee.”

Of the other organizations that could potentially offer Counsell a high amount of money, the New York Mets are first on the list. Counsell’s former president of baseball operations is now one of the main executives in charge in New York, and their pre-existing relationship makes a reunion a real possibility.

However, Counsell and his family have been in Milwaukee their entire lives. Leaving now would be difficult but not impossible. Burnes acknowledged this history and said that ultimately his manager is in a very good spot this offseason with lots of negotiating power.

“Just because that’s where he’s been, that’s what he knows…he’s a Brewer down to his core. If I was a GM or an owner, that’s the guy I want running the team. We’ll see. I think he’s in kinda the best spot you can be as a manager.”

It will be interesting to see what happens with Counsell this offseason. Right now there is no known timetable for a decision to be made, so all we can do is wait for news to break.