Cubs to make $40m Craig Counsell highest paid MLB manager in history

• Counsell was formerly manager of rivals Milwaukee
• New York Mets appoint Yankees bench coach

The Chicago Cubs hired manager Craig Counsell away from Milwaukee on Monday in a surprising move, replacing David Ross after the team slipped out of a playoff spot towards the end of the season.

Two people with knowledge of the situation confirmed the move to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because there had been no announcement by the Cubs. The 53-year-old Counsell received a five-year contract worth more than $40m, the largest ever deal for a baseball manager.