At $40 million for 5 years, Craig Counsell of the Cubs is the highest paid manager in ML history. Let that sink in for a moment. I like Counsell and have always felt he was a better manager than the guy he replaced. This deal will benefit future managers. It’s hard to believe that the guy that just won his fourth World Series ring and Texas’ first championship, Bruce Bochy, isn’t earning more do re mi.

This signing makes last year’s Willson Contreras defection to the Cardinals seem insignificant. Will the Brewers graciously remember Counsell with a video tribute on Memorial Day week?

I hope the clown of a commissioner doesn’t move closer to eliminating divisional rivals as it seems to be his plan. This rivalry is great for the game and might be worthy of a few nationally televised games in 2024.