Chicago Cubs ‘agree to deal with Milwaukee Brewers’ Craig Counsell to replace David Ross’ after interview with ex-New York Mets and Cleveland Guardians infielder

Craig Counsell has reportedly left the Milwaukee Brewers for the rival Chicago Cubs.

ESPN and The Athletic reported Monday that the former journeyman infielder will replace outgoing Cubs manager David Ross, who was under contract through the 2024 season.

Counsell was also considered for the vacant New York Mets and Cleveland Guardians jobs, which reportedly went to Carlos Mendoza and Stephen Vogt, respectively.

Counsell’s contract with Milwaukee expired last week, but the Brewers Principal owner Mark Attanasio has said several times that the team wanted him back in 2024.

The Cubs replace Ross after the team slipped out of a playoff spot in the latter part of the season.

Two people with knowledge of the situation confirmed the move to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because there had been no announcement by the Cubs.

There was no word on the status of Ross, a favorite of President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer. Ross could move into the front office after Craig Breslow left to manage the Boston Red Sox.

Counsell guided the Brewers to five playoff berths over the past six years, but his hometown team failed to win its first World Series in that time.

The Brewers were swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL Wild Card Series.

Counsell owns a 707-625 record, which gives him the franchise record for wins and games managed.

“Craig and I talked around Labor Day, and we decided that this year we had an opportunity to do something special, and we were just going to focus on that and continue the conversation once the season was over,” Attanasio told the Wild. Card series. “I think the conversation will be open-ended, and we’ll see how he wants to handle it. I think he has earned that right.

“Obviously we want him back, and we’ll see what he wants to do.”

Ultimately, Counsell appears to have chosen the Cubs.