Grading Craig Counsell

[Xuperman]

Didn't see a thread specific to this question. Considering the unusual circumstance and the price tag...just wondering how y'all grade our skipper.

Personally, I am in no way impressed and grading him a C+ is somewhat generous. I have found myself in "head scratching" mode far too often since the all star break. Plus, for some reason, I find him very irritating in media interviews. Very dull.

[Derwood]

A letter grade is obviously subjective, but I think the biggest knocks on him so far have been:

- Riding the starters in the first half with very few off days, which has lead to fatigue and overall offensive slumping in the second half

- Stubbornly sticking with his batting order despite a pile of data showing some hitters doing better in different slots 

- Leaving his starters in a batter or two too long when they're showing signs of struggling

[CubinNY]

I’ve totally gone Kyle on managers. I’d lump him in with the vast majority of them. They’re mostly interchangeable outside of Francona.

[Bertz]

Craig's really great.  Fans are silly and and can't remember anything before yesterday and certainly don't think ahead.  Craig does a good job of balancing long and short term interests.  I'd like him to use the bench a little more, even knowing how bad it has been for much of the year, but that's about the only thing I'd quibble with.

I am somewhat perversely enjoying the Craig hate to be honest.  You could see this coming from a mile away.  The stuff that fans really hated about Ross was very much *not* what Craig was going to do differently.  Anyone paying attention could have told you that, but well here we are.

[squally1313]

We are 84-64. If that is C+ what were you expecting 

[Rcal10]

1 hour ago, CubinNY said:

I’ve totally gone Kyle on managers. I’d lump him in with the vast majority of them. They’re mostly interchangeable outside of Francona.

And I would bet if you watched every Reds game you wouldn’t like Francona. This is not about you. I think that is every fan. When you see someone all the time you always second guess(as a fan). What makes Francona so much better than everyone else. They are 500 and were pretty much projected to be 500. Cubs are heading towards 91 or 92 wins and were projected to mid 80’s. So why is Franconia so great? 
BTW, I agree most are pretty interchangeable. But I think CC is in the upper tier of managers, with Francona. 

Edited September 14, 2025 by Rcal10

[Backtobanks]

2 hours ago, squally1313 said:

We are 84-64. If that is C+ what were you expecting 

Most managers get more credit and blame than they deserve.  He's not a C+, but the Cubs have the best roster in their division, so they should have a good record no matter who the manages the team.  He left the Brewers and look at their record.

[Xuperman]

4 hours ago, squally1313 said:

We are 84-64. If that is C+ what were you expecting?

 Well, when his mentor/subordinate blows him out of the water....at that price tag....we should all EXPECT MORE.

Some here are predicting less than 90 wins. Hindsight is always 20/20, but give me Murphy at a small fraction of the price. I am not a CC fan.

[Xuperman]

1 hour ago, Backtobanks said:

Most managers get more credit and blame than they deserve.  He's not a C+, but the Cubs have the best roster in their division, so they should have a good record no matter who the manages the team.  He left the Brewers and look at their record.

Are you suggesting that 8 MILLION per, does not have an expectative return? If that is the case....why pay any manager such a ridiculous contract?

[javy knows my name]

1 hour ago, Backtobanks said:

Most managers get more credit and blame than they deserve.  He's not a C+, but the Cubs have the best roster in their division, so they should have a good record no matter who the manages the team.  He left the Brewers and look at their record.

Lol you can't have it both ways

[Derwood]

1 minute ago, Xuperman said:

Are you suggesting that 8 MILLION per, does not have an expectative return? If that is the case....why pay any manager such a ridiculous contract?

There's not salary cap and it's not your money, so what does his salary have to do with anything?

 

[Xuperman]

4 hours ago, Bertz said:

Craig's really great.  Fans are silly and and can't remember anything before yesterday and certainly don't think ahead.  Craig does a good job of balancing long and short term interests.  I'd like him to use the bench a little more, even knowing how bad it has been for much of the year, but that's about the only thing I'd quibble with.

I am somewhat perversely enjoying the Craig hate to be honest.  You could see this coming from a mile away.  The stuff that fans really hated about Ross was very much *not* what Craig was going to do differently.  Anyone paying attention could have told you that, but well here we are.

I respectfully disagree....AND I have been paying very close attention for multiple decades. Ross was a confused hire and Counsell is a WAY overpriced one.

[Xuperman]

7 minutes ago, Derwood said:

There's not salary cap and it's not your money, so what does his salary have to do with anything?

 

That's an easy one. I am a hardcore Cubs fan.

[Derwood]

Just now, Xuperman said:

That's an easy one. I am a hardcore Cubs fan.

That didn't answer my question

[javy knows my name]

1 minute ago, Xuperman said:

That's an easy one. I am a hardcore Cubs fan.

How do you feel about plasma tvs and feet

[Xuperman]

2 minutes ago, Derwood said:

That didn't answer my question

Hopefully this direct answer to your question will satisfy. Counsell is basically the highest paid MLB manager in the history of the game. ALL businesses pay salaries with an appropriate expectation of results. Any business...any where.

I just think the guy and the contract is not worth the price.

 

[Xuperman]

16 minutes ago, javy knows my name said:

How do you feel about plasma tvs and feet

Pickled Pigs feet?

[Bertz]

20 minutes ago, Xuperman said:

I respectfully disagree....AND I have been paying very close attention for multiple decades. Ross was a confused hire and Counsell is a WAY overpriced one.

What specifically do you wish Craig would do differently?

[Xuperman]

2 minutes ago, Bertz said:

What specifically do you wish Craig would do differently?

Our team is doesn't seem to be heading in right direct for a strong post season. 

My direct answer to you question would be having Moises bat in the line up daily. I would also consider starting an effective Bull pen guy before Shota. Bunt PCA more and send him as a bag theif at every opportunity.

Does this help?

[Derwood]

Those are certainly some ideas

[Bertz]

6 minutes ago, Xuperman said:

Our team is doesn't seem to be heading in right direct for a strong post season. 

My direct answer to you question would be having Moises bat in the line up daily. I would also consider starting an effective Bull pen guy before Shota. Bunt PCA more and send him as a bag theif at every opportunity.

Does this help?

These are all pretty small potatoes, aren't they?  Like even if they worked (I don't think they would, but we'll set that aside), they move the needle on like one or two games?

Edited September 14, 2025 by Bertz

[Xuperman]

10 minutes ago, Derwood said:

Those are certainly some ideas

I will throw in. Run WAY more with 1st and 3rd with less than 2 outs.

[Xuperman]

8 minutes ago, Bertz said:

These are all pretty small potatoes, aren't they?  Like even if they worked (I don't think they would, but we'll set that aside), they move the needle on like one or two games?

We should all take ONE OR TWO games!

[Derwood]

5 minutes ago, Xuperman said:

I will throw in. Run WAY more with 1st and 3rd with less than 2 outs.

Your ideas sound like a great way to create unnecessary outs

[Gjfificifjdej]

Idk man the manager can’t make guys ground into fewer double plays, he can’t stop Tucker pounding ground balls to first base, can’t make Shota stop giving up dingers like its his job, can’t do much with the bullpen in every reliever is getting shelled.