3 players with ties to Craig Counsell the Cubs could target

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The Cubs have significantly increased their chances of competing in 2024 by bringing in Craig Counsell to manage their team, but the offseason is just getting started and there is still work to do. As the Brewers' skipper for nine seasons, Counsell became known for getting the absolute most out of players even when his roster seemed sub-par on paper.

Counsell's arrival on the Cubs could open up new options in free agency and make Chicago an even more enticing landing spot. Additionally, Counsell's fresh set of eyes could convince the front office that certain players are worth taking a shot on when they wouldn't have otherwise. Here are three players with ties to Craig Counsell that the Cubs could target this offseason.

1. LHP Josh Hader

There was a time not too long ago when I would have wanted the Cubs to pass on closer Josh Hader. That time has passed since starting pitcher Marcus Stroman surprisingly opted out of his $21 million player option for 2024. Clearly, that leaves a massive hole and that money should be used to bolster the starting rotation with someone like Aaron Nola or Sonny Gray. However, the Cubs will be well below the luxury tax threshold going into 2024 with Jason Heyward's contract also coming off the books.

In my eyes, now is the time to spend and who better to solidify your bullpen than arguably the best relief pitcher in all of baseball? Since his MLB debut in 2017, Hader has collected the fourth most saves (165) in the league, 11.3 Wins above replacement, and a league-leading 15.01 strikeouts per nine in that time frame. Five and a half of Hader's six seasons came with Counsell calling him out of the bullpen so nobody on the planet knows how to utilize Hader's talents better than him.

Slotting Hader into ninth-inning duties would take a lot of pressure off a bullpen that struggled to solidify an identity for much of the season. Adbert Alzolay can move into the eighth inning set-up role with Julian Merryweather and Mark Leiter Jr. moving down as well. Hader's high velocity and experience would be a huge weapon for this team and signing him would transfer to more wins, plain and simple.

The thing is, Hader is probably going to net the largest contract ever signed by a relief pitcher, with an average annual value likely being $20 million a year or more. But with Hader coming off the best season of his career (1.28 ERA, 86 Ks, 56.1 IP) and his 30th birthday coming next year, it may be a gamble worth taking.

2. 1B/DH Justin Turner

The Cubs need to add more bats this offseason and former Los Angeles Dodger and Boston Red Sox star Justin Turner has been linked to Chicago now that Counsell is the manager. Although Turner has never played for Counsell, MLB Network's Jon Morosi pointed out on X that the Brewers made a run at Turner when he was a free agent following the 2020 season.

Justin Turner and the Cubs are a potential match in free agency.

Of relevance, Craig Counsell and the Brewers made a strong push to sign Turner after the '20 season.

The Cubs are looking for offense, especially with Bellinger and Candelario now free agents.@MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 7, 2023

Turner may be entering his age 39 season, but he proved that he can still swing the bat this year with 23 home runs, 96 RBI, and .276/.345/.455 slash line. This production will likely net Turner a one-two year contract given his age and the Cubs could be wise to give him a shot given their needs on offense.

Turner primarily served as Boston's DH in 2023, but he played first base in 41 games and he can play third base in a pinch. At 39 years old though, Turner's best days at the hot corner are definitely behind him. First base would likely be Turner's home on the Cubs given the only designated player currently on the 40-man roster at that position is Matt Mervis.

This is the type of short-term signing that the Cubs would probably be enticed by right now but it will have to exceed $13.4 million a year since that is the value of Turner's player option he just opted out of.

3. LHP Will Smith

One of the best candidates for the Cubs to finally fill their left-handed reliever role is Will Smith, who just won his third straight World Series ring with the Texas Rangers. Although he flashed an ERA at a peculiar 4.40, Smith still converted 22 of his 27 save opportunities and collected 8 holds when he was moved away from the closer role.

If added to the Cubs, Smith would not be taking on 9th-inning duties with Adbert Alzolay emerging as the Cubs' closer this year. However, Smith is still a solid and experienced left-handed arm who has been able to stay healthy throughout his career. As a reliever, Smith has been able to eclipse 50 innings pitched in 7 of his 10 seasons as a bullpen arm.

Two of those seasons were with the Counsell-led Brewers in 2015 and 2016 so the Cubs' new manager is familiar with Smith. Even if the Cubs don't sign a lefty reliever this winter, their options look better than last year with the emergence of flamethrower Luke Little, the return of Brandon Hughes presumably imminent, and Drew Smyly likely being relegated to bullpen duty. But still, you could never have too many arms and Smith will not cost much after making $1.5 million last year.

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