Craig Counsell continues to confirm that the hefty contract the Chicago Cubs gave him is worth every single penny.
Chicago Cubs fans everywhere owe Michael Conforto an apology. You can do so by buying this shirt from Obvious Shirts. Use code ONTAPSPORTS for 10% off. But after you do that, Craig Counsell also deserves an apology.
The Cubs brought Counsell into the mix after the 2023 season. It was a move that shook the MLB world, as it was expected he would return to the Milwaukee Brewers or sign with the New York Mets. In their heist, the Cubs made Counsell the highest-paid manager (at the time) with a five-year, $40 million deal.
The first two years did go as expected. But the beginning of 2026 is showing exactly what the Cubs knew: Counsell knows baseball just about as well as anyone on the planet.
Craig Counsell Continues 2026 Managerial Masterclass.
As ESPN’s Jesse Rogers lays out above, hitters coming off the bench for the Cubs have an OPS of 1.068 in 2026, including Michael Conforto’s walkoff home run Monday night. They dealt the Reds their second consecutive one-run loss in the blown save.
Counsell has perfectly blended the utility and timeliness of Conforto, Matt Shaw, and his rotation of catchers (Miguel Amaya, Carson Kelly, and Moises Ballesteros). Ballesteros, especially, is coming into his own as an everyday asset to the lineup.
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Oh, and seemingly every pitcher Counsell expected to have at the top of his rotation and in the bullpen is serving or has served time on the injured list. Counsell and pitching coach Tommy Hottovy have had to piece together a staff to hang on and wait for health. In doing so, guys are coming out of the woodwork as if they’ve been veterans in this league for decades.
Entering Tuesday, the Cubs have a two-game lead over the second-place St. Louis Cardinals in the division. That would look different if the Cubs did not come back on Monday night. Monday night’s game is one that past Cubs teams would not have won. It’s also one not won with Counsell at the helm.
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