CLEVELAND — Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell is meeting with the Cleveland Guardians about their managerial opening, a person familiar with the discussions told The Associated Press on Monday.
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, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team is not making any of its search public.
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.
More Guardians coverage:
- Reports: Cleveland Guardians seeking to interview Craig Counsell for open managerial position
- Seattle Mariners coach Stephen Vogt to have second interview for Cleveland Guardians manager's job, AP source says
- New exterior signage at Progressive Field approved by Cleveland Planning Commission: See the renderings