Chicago Cubs News: Craig Counsell and David Ross, Shota Imanaga, and more

New Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell has had a conversation with former Chicago Cubs manager David Ross ahead of Counsell's introductory press conference on Monday.

Chicago Cubs manager David Ross and Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell (30) meet before their
Chicago Cubs manager David Ross and Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell (30) meet before their / Mark Hoffman / USA TODAY NETWORK

Craig Counsell will officially be introduced as the Chicago Cubs manager during a press conference at Wrigley Field on Monday morning.

One of the question that was inevitably going to be asked of Counsell was whether or not he had a conversation with the manager whose job he swept in and took, David Ross.

According to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score, Counsell and Ross have indeed had a conversation since the move was made.

Ross took the high road in his first public comments since the Cubs made his firing official earlier this week and there had been some debate over whether or not Counsell violated managerial code by taking a job that wasn't open.

Beginning on Monday, the focus for Counsell will shift to focusing on his first with the Cubs in 2024 where there will be an expectation that the team opens the season as a World Series contender.

Yan Gomes looking forward to having Craig Counsell as the Chicago Cubs manager

Chicago Cubs veteran catcher joined Foul Territory on Friday and spoke to his excitement to have Counsell becoming the team's manager.

Shota Imanaga expected to be posted this week

It was reported last week that Yoshinobu Yamamoto is expected to be posted this upcoming week and on Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that Shota Imanaga is expected to be posted this week as well.

Imanaga is a left-handed starting pitcher who would immediately slot into the middle of the Cubs' rotation if signed. Imanaga is five years older than Yamamoto and with a ceiling that is not quite at the ace level, he likely would be a cheaper option for the Cubs as well.

Chicago Cubs expected to move on from Marcus Stroman

Patrick Mooney of The Athletic (Subscription Required) provided more confirmation that there does not appear to be a future between the Chicago Cubs and Marcus Stroman.

The prevailing thought, once Stroman opted out of his deal with the Cubs last weekend, was that the team would not have much of an interest in bringing the starting pitcher back on a long-term deal. The Cubs and Stroman were never close in previous extension talks and it would seem that the Cubs see better value on the market than engaging with their former Opening Day starter.

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