CLEVELAND — Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell is meeting with the Cleveland Guardians about their managerial opening, according to multiple reports.
Counsell, who has led the Brewers to the postseason five times in the past six years, is at Progressive Field for his interview with the Guardians, according to the Associated Press.
Counsell’s contract with Milwaukee is set to expire this week, but the Brewers are allowing him to look elsewhere while also hoping they can re-sign the coveted 53-year-old. The New York Mets are also reportedly interested in Counsell and have far more money to offer him than either the Brewers or Guardians.
Cleveland is searching for a manager for the first time since 2012 after Terry Francona, the winningest manager in club history, stepped down after this season.
Counsell has an interesting connection to Cleveland. As a light-hitting infielder with Florida, he hit a game-tying sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth inning in Game 7 of the 1997 World Series as the Marlins rallied to beat Cleveland and win a title.
Counsell played 16 seasons in the majors.
The Guardians have interviewed several candidates to replace Francona. Mariners bullpen coach Stephen Vogt was in Cleveland last week for his second interview with the club and is considered one of the leading candidates.
Counsell took over as Milwaukee’s manager during the 2015 season after Ron Roenicke was fired. The Brewers had made a total of four playoff appearances before Counsell took over.
The longest-tenured manage in the National League, Counsell is 707-625 with the Brewers, giving him the club record for wins and games managed.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
