Craig Counsell departure 'not a betrayal,' Brewers owner says - ESPN

Brewers owner Mark Attanasio admitted he was as stunned as anyone by Craig Counsell joining the Cubs but said he did not feel «betrayed» by the longtime manager's departure from Milwaukee.

The Cubs shocked the baseball world Monday by firing manager David Ross and replacing him with Counsell, who was synonymous with the Brewers after spending the past 17 years with the organization as a player, executive and manager.

Attanasio told reporters that when Counsell informed him of his decision, his response was: «Are you messing with me?»

«We're all here today because we lost Craig,» Attanasio said. «But I've reflected on this — Craig has lost us, and he's lost our community also.»

Counsell, who led the budget-conscious Brewers to five playoff appearances and three NL Central titles over the past six years, became one of the biggest managerial free agents in recent years when his contract expired at the end of this season.

Although he was expected to either remain with the Brewers or be hired by the New York Mets, Counsell ultimately ended up with the Cubs, agreeing to what sources told ESPN is a five-year deal worth a record-setting $40 million.

«It kind of came out of nowhere,» Brewers ace Corbin Burnes told MLB.com. «I think my reaction is the same as everyone in the organization and the fan base: We're just shocked initially.»

«I'm still processing it, too,» Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff added. «I was not expecting the Cubs.… But then when you dig down a little bit deeper, you kind of get it.»

Attanasio was asked whether he viewed Counsell's move to the rival Cubs as a betrayal.

«Definitely not betrayed,» he said. «I'm so high on what we have that I can't imagine somebody wanting to be somewhere else.… Our goal for our