MLB Hot Stove Evening Briefing: Major changes in the Windy City, Mets hire new skipper, Braves bring back veteran hurler
The Chicago Cubs have fired Craig Counsell to become their new manager. The team also announced they’ve fired skipper David Ross.
Counsell leaves the Brewers and earns a massive contract from the Cubs, so signing a five-year, $40 million pact. His deal is the biggest contract given to an MLB manager.
"Today we made the difficult decision to dismiss David Ross as our Major League Manager," Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said in a statement. "On behalf of the Cubs organization, we express our deep gratitude for David's contributions to our club, both on and off the field. First as a player and then as a manager, David continually showcased his ability to lead. David's legacy will be felt in Chicago for generations and his impact to our organization will stack up with the legends that came before him."
Counsell was the hot coaching commodity on the market since his contract ended on Halloween. He interviewed with the Mets and Guardians, but ultimately decided to manage the Cubs.
The 53-year-old spent nine years in Milwaukee, winning three NL Central titles. He was 707-625 overall with the Brewers during the regular season and 7-12 in the postseason. His 707 regular-season wins and 7 playoff victories are both franchise records.
In four seasons with the Cubs, Ross led the team to a record of 262-284, with a 2020 National League Central crown. The team fell just short of the playoffs this season, winning 83 games.
Ross spent the final two years of his playing career on the North Side, helping the Cubs to two playoff appearances and a World Series title in 2016. The former skipper had one year left on his contract before he was fired by the Cubs.
Mets hire Carlos Mendoza to become new skipper
The Mets weren’t the only team to hire a new manager on Monday. New York hired Yankees bench coach Carlos Mendoza, first reported by The New York Post’s Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman.
Mendoza comes to the Mets after 15 years in the Yankees organization. He rose quickly through the ranks with the Yankees.
The Mets new manager joined the major league staff in 2018 and was Boone's right-hand man, a role he also served for Team Venezuela in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Mendoza takes over for Buck Showalter after a poor season filled with World Series aspirations.
New leader of the Mets front office David Stearns makes his first massive move for the franchise.
In previous years, Mendoza had interviewed for managerial jobs in Detroit, Boston and for the vacancy with the Chicago White Sox.
Braves exercise option on veteran starter Charlie Morton
The Atlanta Braves will exercise the $20 million option for veteran starter Charlie Morton.
The 40-year-old made 30 starts for the club in 2023 while posting a 3.64 ERA and a 3.87 FIP in 163 innings. A finger injury kept him out of the Division Series where the Braves were eliminated by the Philadelphia Phillies.
Morton’s price tag is certainly high given his age, but he’s been one of the more consistent hurlers in baseball over the last five years.
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