A seismic shift rattled the baseball world as the Chicago Cubs pulled off a managerial surprise on Wednesday, bidding adieu to David Ross and welcoming Craig Counsell to the helm. Cubs’ President of Baseball Operations, Jed Hoyer, offered insights into the decision-making process, shedding light on the reasons behind this managerial switch.
Hoyer expressed the challenging choice they made in his statement, saying, “Today we made the difficult decision to dismiss David Ross as our Major League Manager. “On behalf of the Cubs organization, we express our deep gratitude for David’s contributions to our club, both on and off the field. First as a player and then as a manager, David continually showcased his ability to lead. David’s legacy will be felt in Chicago for generations and his impact to our organization will stack up with the legends that came before him.”
David Ross, who played a pivotal role as a player during the Cubs’ historic World Series win in 2016, must have found the news of his replacement by Craig Counsell a bitter pill to swallow. However, Jed Hoyer firmly believes that Counsell is the ideal choice to lead the team into the upcoming years.
The Cubs demonstrated their resurgence as playoff contenders in the previous season, narrowly missing out on a wild card spot in the final week, with some heart-wrenching losses to the Atlanta Braves playing a significant role in their postseason absence. With promising young talent on their roster, the Cubs might open their coffers this offseason to bolster their ranks.
The free agency status of outfielder Cody Bellinger adds intrigue to the Cubs’ offseason plans, and they could also emerge as potential suitors for a trade involving the coveted Juan Soto. The Cubs’ future under Hoyer’s guidance promises to be a compelling storyline to follow.