Free agent manager Craig Counsell has found a home, and it will not be American Family Field.
The Athletic and ESPN's Jeff Passan were among the first to report on Monday that Counsell, a Milwaukee Brewers player, front-office employee, and manager for over 15 years, signed a new deal with the rival Chicago Cubs.
The Brewers reportedly had offered Counsell $5.5 million to come back to Milwaukee, but reports indicate that Counsell wanted to do his part to help reset the pay scale for managers so that they would get paid more. Counsell will move into a new office at 1060 West Addison in Chicago to the tune of five years, $40 million.
Early signs are the Brewers will move on Counsell's bench coach Pat Murphy, among other candidates, for their managerial position. Counsell's contract as the Brewers manager expired on October 31st, turning down previous offers from the organization for an extension.