November 15: The Brewers officially announced Murphy’s hiring today.
November 13: The Brewers appear to have settled on their new manager. Milwaukee is expected to promote longtime bench coach Pat Murphy, reports Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Murphy will replace longtime manager Craig Counsell after his departure to the Cubs.
Milwaukee’s managerial search proved to be a short one, ultimately concluding just one week after Counsell officially departed for Chicago. In that time, the Brewers reportedly considered several candidates in addition to Murphy during the short process, including Blue Jays bench coach Don Mattingly, Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough, 14-year MLB veteran Rickie Weeks and Astros hitting coach Troy Snitker.
Their reported list of candidates also included a pair of names attached to the other managerial vacancies around the league at the time: Astros then-bench coach Joe Espada, who has since been promoted to the managerial gig in Houston, as well as Padres senior advisor Mike Shildt, who is considered a potential favorite to replace Bob Melvin in San Diego. Ultimately, the Brewers decided to go with Murphy, who many around the game had speculated could consider joining Counsell as bench coach in Chicago if not promoted in Milwaukee.
Murphy, 64, has never been formally hired for the manager’s role with a big league organization but has plenty of experience managing in baseball nonetheless. He ran the Padres for 96 games on an interim basis in 2015 after Bud Black was dismissed that June. Murphy also spent more than 20 years as a head coach in college baseball for Arizona State and Notre Dame. Now, he’ll get his first proper managerial opportunity in the major leagues, stepping into Counsell’s shoes in the Milwaukee dugout after the pair worked closely for eight seasons.
He’ll inherit a roster that figures to be in flux this offseason. Though the Brewers won 92 games and an NL Central crown in 2023 en route to their fifth playoff appearance in the past six seasons, Counsell’s departure combined with the impending free agencies of ace right-hander Corbin Burnes and shortstop Willy Adames have Milwaukee’s front office potentially contemplating major changes to the roster. Further complicating the club’s offseason plans is the status of Burnes’s fellow ace Brandon Woodruff, who underwent shoulder surgery earlier in the offseason and is expected to miss most or perhaps even all of the 2024 season, though he hopes to be back sometime next summer.
Tumultuous as the coming offseason might be, the outlook in Milwaukee isn’t entirely bleak. Outfielder Jackson Chourio is widely considered one of the top two prospects in the entire sport. The club’s farm system sports three other top 100 prospects per MLB Pipeline. Those prospects could help to supplement a core of quality players at the big league level that includes catcher William Contreras, right-hander Freddy Peralta, closer Devin Williams, and outfielders Christian Yelich and Garrett Mitchell, among others. Even if Burnes and Adames are dealt this offseason, the club has the pieces to remain competitive in a relatively weak NL Central division if they choose to supplement the roster rather than engage in a larger teardown.
Image courtesy of USA Today Sports.
I’d much rather have Murphy and pocket the 40m. Excellent move.
I agree, if I was the one pocketing the $40MM.
Beyond that, Murphy is a solid choice.
Most good teams the front office army tells you the lineup and bullpen matchups. Seems anyone with average baseball intelligence who can make decisions quickly can manage. They aren’t expected to be world series contenders so see if the players play for him. If not bring in another minimum wage guy. Any decent owner or gm should be able to find someone.
Too bad Attanasio won’t spend that money he was saving and instead ask for state funds to upgrade his stadium while cutting payroll again.
Government usually owns the stadium. If they own it then they should pay for needed repairs. If not then no big deal. I am sure another city will help them build them a park. I certainly wouldn’t pay for repairs if I could get someone else to.
Except the government doesn’t own American Family Field
The Brewers own 36% of the stadium, the media helps hide that fact. They owned 30% when it was built , but the percent has grown, the Brewers just made a purchase of land by the stadium the other day,the Brewers made the purchase, not the government, the percent keeps going up with team investments. The Brewers rank 17th in revenue and profits out of 30 teams, I keep reading on how they are one of the bottom teams, not true.
Don’t care who owns it. If he can get someone else to pay for it that’s just good business. He paid for the ballpark himself? Or city paid for some but still gave him ownership of it?
Nevermind Mel already posted enough to answer my ?
They’re are 4 Counties I n the state of Wisconsin that are part owners of the ballpark along with the Brewers.
Milwaukee county does.
The Brewers own 34 or 36% of the stadium.
And if they chose to move it would cost them probably 1-1.5 billion (relocation fee + no one is handing them a free stadium) instead of 100-150 million they are in line to help pay for the updates, some of which are surely not necessary.
Nice try though
If I lived in the jurisdiction where the ballpark was, I’d want my jurisdiction to practice “good business” by telling a team owner to go fund the improvements that primarily benefit his profit-making enterprise himself.
The Brewers own ZERo Percent of the Stadium. ZERO. The stadium is owned 100% by the stadium district. Don’t make things up.
dlaurenzi: The Brewers own 34-36% of the stadium(I admit I’ve seen both numbers listed). Check your sources.
Also, sorry you got thrown under the bus. But I did hear you are a Cubs fan.
You know the state owns the stadium not the Brewers right? When you rent a home do the renters fix the house if the roof is leaking or does the owner of the property does? The Brewers pay the state to lease it. Know things
dlaurenzi:
Simply look up facts, don’t perpetuate the falsehood the Brewers have no ownership or stake in the stadium. It’s fake news.
Copied/pasted with 15 seconds of searching:
The Southeast Wisconsin Professional Baseball Park District (64%) and the Milwaukee Brewers (36%) own American Family Field.
A 1995 state law created the district, composed of Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Washington and Waukesha counties. It is “separate, distinct and independent from the state,” according to the district’s website.
It’s Mark Attanasio who is pocketing the move. You, a lowly fan, aren’t seeing a penny of that manifested into any real changes for the team that your root for.
I don’t root for them or care what he does with the 8 million a year. There are teams fielded with 50m payrolls so if he wants to pocket 8m for the next 5 years after spending 120 ish or whatever he has been spending that is fine by me.
Gee, imagine that another shill for sports team owners. Probably a gold spoon-fed relative who was born on third base and believes he hit a triple to get there.
Seems like a really good man and a SOLID choice. Piss poor for you to bring money into it though.
Sorry but that’s how the world works. You pay the least amount necessary to hire and keep your employees. If you are the rare super generous employer or work for one good for you. Generous of you to pay 40m to a manager. I’d keep it for myself and take my chances of finding someone else almost, as good, or better.
Hi Mark A.
He’s working for free?!
Sweet a real manager
Makes sense.
If he turns out like Shildt it’ll be great
Yeah, I was hoping Shildt would get the Brewers job, so here’s hoping for Murphy and his mashers…
Anyone have any theories on why the Padres still haven’t named Schildt as manager?
Preller has to find someone that’ll buy into his vision. That may be tough for an experienced manager. With Mr. seidler passing, you have to think the wide open pocketbook days are likely to be nearing the end. Could be a tumultuous tenure at best for whomever gets the gig. Just a theory!
Mmm… I’d have gone with Shildt. Murphy probably cheaper and I did think when the Padres turned him loose after the ill-fated 2015 season that he would eventually make a good manager but I already *know* Shildt is.
If I had a dime for every time I’ve seen Counsell whispering into Murphy’s ear, seeking counsel.
Dude has been the de facto Brewer manager for years and is much better at arguing with umps than El Pollo ever was. Let’s hope his heart holds up.
I absolutely love fan fiction.
Ur living up to ur username with that burn lol. Well played!
Stupid move, if you know anything about Murphy is that he can’t keep his mouth shut so the cubs and and Benedict Counsell will know everything going on.
Spicy! I wish CC well and hope he continues to succeed as a manager. It’s too bad MIL couldn’t match CHC’s offer.
Doesn’t that mean M.O.T.S.
(more of the same) this would give the Cubs, the advantage with their seemingly unlimited budget and talent, an instant snapshot of what the Brewer’s will do? Instantly the Cubs jump above Milwaukee with a non spending ownership looking only at the bottom line.
We need lightning to improve.
Pretty much what the fans are worried about here. The recipe works up to a certain point, in that they remain middling competitive with a slim chance that any team has entering the playoffs. Roster construction is a huge factor in the equation, and the manager can only impact the outcome marginally by making in-game moves, setting the batting order and lineup cards. Does he set the clubhouse tone? Debatable. The players have to play. Getting the most from the players is certainly the job of the coaching staff too. I’d like to see someone build a stat like WAR for managers. I just don’t see this making a big difference from what we had. Ahhh the hot stove season!!
So they’re going the A’s route now?
I don’t think the replacement manager is really going to matter unless they find another progressive manager. Very few managers are game-changers for a team – Bochy, Counsell, Francona are guys that can change a culture in a great way. It seems like players have so many good things to say about these managers.
How is Counsell a game changer? He shouldn’t be in the same category as Bochy and Francona. Counsell couldn’t manage his way out of a paper bag.
That’s your opinion, and it’s a pretty bad one. Pretty much everyone in and around the game think he’s one of the best.
Managers are overrated, Im not saying they are not important. Ned Yost was fired with two weeks left in playoff race, he went on to manage a world series championship with KC. Harvey Kuehn takes over the Brewers and fills out the same lineup card, calls Rollie Fingers for relief, the only time the Brewers made the world series. He was fired a year later. Talent is more important, than managers, Brewers had Burnes, Woodruff,Hader, Williams, MVP years of Yellich, Cain signing, its not like Counsell was doing it on his own.
You argue my point that it’s the manager that gets the team to gel which is what Harvey Keuhn did did I remember when Harvey took over and those guys really enjoyed and they had fun.
yes but its time and place, Harvey was right for the team in 1982, but not in years after. Ned Yost was terrible for the Brewers ,but worked for the Royals. I have seen manager changes work, but thats if there is a high talent level not performing as well as they should as a team. As far as Counsell his teams didnt underperform, and even outperformed the talent a little, is why he is a good manager.
Did they really outperform the talent? The oddsmakers were really spot on the last few years with win totals, at least for the Crew. You know a bad manager when you see one, like Ollie Marmol in STL. Average managers are all over the league. Winning a WS sets you apart. It is truly special to orchestrate something like that with all of the personalities and quirks of a baseball season. Counsell is an average manager until he proves otherwise. He’s not bad; whether he is good is debatable. We shall see…
You guys, all the MLB front offices who wanted CC are wrong and dumb. ib6ub9 knows better obviously.
I was shocked that he didn’t go with Counsell since Murphy was the only coach on the Brewers that didn’t have another year on his contract. I think this is a good hire AND this should determine how bad/good Counsell really is. Murphy was his right hand man his entire career as manager.
Hopefully good for the Brewers and sucky for the AAA Cubs
Counsell won’t be managing the AAA Cubs. That role belongs to Marty Pevey.
Interesting wrinkle that he has just the upcoming season left on his deal. Barring an extension this off-season that might indicate that this is an interim situation or one-year audition for him.
Glad the Brewers made a quick decision. Murphy will probably keep most of the other coaches so now Counsell can start sorting through the Cubs coaches and any outside hires he wants to make. I’m kind of betting Andy Green doesn’t make the final cut. Hottovy looking better now though. And Kelly and Napoli. Not sure about the rest.
This is so uninspiring as a Brewers fan. It didn’t seem like they even interviewed anyone else. Looking outside the org probably is a good idea given how the last three postseasons have gone.
Agreed, brewers always take the cheap easy way. This was all about $$$
Cubs are stupid. They just paid 40m for the guy who was responsible for 3 post season failures lol.
I always thought they didn’t go far because they seemed to have weaker lineups than other playoff teams. New coaching staff is much cheaper than new players so they definitely should have went that route.
Sure….Brewers are about to become irrelevant in a year.
I don’t think the manager is responsible for Yelich from 2020–22, Adames since 2022 began, and this group of hitters the front office/ownership has gotten him to fill out the rest of the order:
Rowdy Tellez, Brian Anderson, Jesse Winker, Carlos Santana, Hunter Renfroe, Jackie Bradley Jr., Justin Smoak
I get what you’re saying, but I think this move is fine. The team made the playoffs 6/7 years, so really I don’t think it requires an overhaul. Murphy gets to choose who he wants to keep and get rid of on this staff, but most importantly, hiring Murphy most likely keeps Chris Hook, If we want ANY chance of opening a window of contention in the near distant future, we need that guy.
People said the same thing about Derek Johnson when he left. I don’t doubt that Hook is good at his job, but maybe he’s not the guy responsible for the pitching success.
I love when people complain because their team made the playoffs 3 of 4 years.
During this time they’ve won exactly 1 postseason game. ONE! Should we be happy just to get the participation ribbon and not complain?
Shocking. A wed wose.How owiginal… Hope it works out. Someone go back and get a s-load of dimes!
Nice Blazing Saddles reference! Kudos! I’ll toss in, Could be worse, Could be raining!
Doesn’t matter, Milwaukee still has a better stadium than the Cubs. I’d rather watch a game in Milwaukee than Chicago. That’s for sure, that old rickety cubs stadium with pylons blocking your view. What a waste, second worst Ballpark in America next only to the A’s.. Texas Rangers fan says go Brewers!!!
Make more $ or stop being cheap and pay for seats without blocked views.
I would argue Wrigley has a better overall fan experience.
How?? I’ve been to both parks Wrigley has history but they’re NOT a better fan experience…. No disrespect to the cubs but the fan experience is not better at all…. It’s all troffs the bathroom reak… heck due to weather zombrano threw a no hitter in Milwaukee because Wrigley couldn’t handle it…. Let alone the no rain “rain out” how is that the better fan experience?.. balls get stuck in the ivy prices are more expensive parking sucks compared to Milwaukee….that’s why your fans come to Milwaukee vs Wrigley it’s cheaper it’s better there givin a game and no ivy prices are cheaper better parking your own fans prefer our park
I’m a fairly good reader but am having a little bit of trouble comprehending your post. Maybe it’s me though.
Murphy was the obvious candidate to take over, although he’s going to be the one holding the bag when they break up the core. Woodruff out for the year, Burnes and Adames hitting FA next year so they probably trade them. Brewers will probably take a small dip in 2024, but could be interesting in 2025.
this is shaping up to be a hot stove dream of an offseason… those trades and potentially Houser, Williams, even Christian Yelich (moreso than this time last season), we should be able to catapult the farm system to #1
Great hire. Meanwhile SD is interviewing everyone’s trash.
Definitely Pat Murphy’s burner account.
He has a right proper Irish name. Hope he brings some of that Irish luck to the Brewers. And no shenanigans!
More importantly, we keep Chris Hook.
This move makes sense. The Brewers are seemingly built from within. Murph may not be the long term answer, so it will be interesting to see who he gets to coach up as his bench coach… will he stay within the organization with another former player like Carlos Villanueva or Rickie Weeks, or go outside the org. for a different perspective… McCullogh would be nice if he would accept the role under the notion of being groomed as a manager?
My vote is for Greinke
Grats Murph!
You think that at his first press conference, they’ll play the Robocop theme?
I for one will be rooting for the Brewers to win the division over the Cubs.
Sun Devil season ticket holder for years here.
Murphy will make some good decisions to win games.
I’m just not looking forward to Murphy winning one game against the Cubs and then cracking wisecracks about $40 million or that he is about $30-something cheaper. It’s too predictable and cliché.
Did anyone happen to mention that Counsell played for Pat Murphy at Notre Dame?
Murph gets his first real chance to manage from the start. He could be a good choice if the Brewskis reload with a great farm system. His college experience could come in handy.
Some guy named Murphy coached at Notre Dame? Huh.
Pedro Alvarez’s father-in-law. Nice!
Government sucks ass
Another team staying in house. Notice that both have been successful recently.
Will he ask Rickie Weeks to join his staff?
If so, will Rickie decline and say “at this point in my career, I’m a manager.” And then join another club’s staff next year as something other than manager?
Murphy will be a good manager for the Brewers.
Excellent hire. Been waiting for Murph to get a shot in the big leagues
Good deal.
Can’t wait to hear the terms of the deal. But it’s like 5 yrs /$40,000,001. 😉
I don’t see much changing (that’s not a good thing) with Murphy in the dugout. Another status quo MLB manager hiring. Perfect example of why I went from a season ticket holder to attending 10-20 games each season over the past few years. That number will become 0-5 games in 2024 if the Brewers again trade away some of the higher contracts (Burnes, Adames, Williams, etc.), don’t sign a quality FA (Santana?), and continue to put a product on the field that looks like a Northwoods tavern softball team or the UW Badger football offensive line!!
I thought the Brewers might have turned a corner and perhaps be headed in a different direction as a franchise after some of the 2023 mid season transactions they made. Then Counsell puts Winker on the playoff roster. Now after promoting Murphy, it looks like a few steps backward.
Good for him. I hope all victims of AJ Preller succeed in a demonstrable way.
Come on, Deeds. Learn proper English.
“Tumultuous as the coming offseason might be” is not that. “AS tumultuous as the coming offseason might be” is. How do you keep screwing this up????