Counsell knows they deserve better than this mediocre product. Big-market expectations are part of what lured him to the Friendly Confines — the chance to be challenged, scrutinized and celebrated for doing something massive. To the best fans in baseball, no one compares to you. pic.twitter.com/aOlzuTaQa0

One of the biggest stunners of the most recent MLB offseason was longtime manager Craig Counsell ditching the Milwaukee Brewers and signing a new contract to be the skipper of the rival Chicago Cubs.

Following Sunday’s Game 162 at Wrigley Field, the Cubs cut ties with first-base coach Mike Napoli, bullpen coach Darren Holmes and assistant hitting coach Jim Adduci. The Cubs had been eliminated from playoff contention with a week left in the season, finishing with the same record (83-79) they compiled last year while David Ross ran the team.

The reality of another lost season at Clark and Addison isn’t sitting well with first-year Cubs manager Craig Counsell, who on Thursday challenged the entire organization to be better.

Chicago Cubs skipper Craig Counsell put some pressure on the front office last week, saying there's a "big gap" between them and the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central. Counsell's comments were more than fair,

CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell delivered a message that was both so direct and vague enough that it sounded like he called out his entire organization. “We should be trying to build 90-win teams here” instantly landed as a line that will be repeated throughout another long winter.

The Chicago Cubs did not have the season they wanted after spending in free agency and giving Craig Counsell a monster contract. However, that didn't stop the fans from showing out at the stadium as they do every year.