In a surprising move, Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer has decided to fire manager David Ross and hire Craig Counsell as his replacement, according to a report from the Chicago Sun-Times. Hoyer expressed his belief in Ross but ultimately felt that Counsell was the right choice to lead the team to future success.

The decision was not an easy one for Hoyer, who made the trip to Tallahassee to personally inform Ross of the news. Hoyer described it as an "exceptionally hard decision," but one he felt was necessary to maximize the team's chances of winning games in both the short and long term.

Despite Ross's positive qualities, Hoyer firmly believes that Counsell is one of the best managers in the game. He emphasized that the move was not a knock on Ross, but rather a testament to Counsell's exceptional managerial skills. The Cubs saw an opportunity to secure a top-tier manager and couldn't pass it up.

The decision to pursue Counsell while Ross was still under contract might raise some eyebrows around the league, as it echoes a similar move made by the Cubs in the past when they hired Joe Maddon after dismissing Rick Renteria less than a decade ago. However, Hoyer focused on his duty to ensure the team's success rather than concerning himself with optics.

Ross has yet to comment publicly on his dismissal, but according to Hoyer, he handled the news with remarkable respect. Hoyer acknowledges that the decision may face scrutiny, but he remains steadfast in his commitment to building a winning team.

As Hoyer evaluated the Cubs' performance in the past season, he was disappointed by their failure to make the playoffs despite positive underlying numbers. The team left potential wins on the table, and Hoyer hopes that with Counsell at the helm, they can avoid repeating that scenario.

Counsell brings a winning record as the manager of the Milwaukee Brewers for the past nine years. The Cubs' president has long admired Counsell from afar, and he believes that Counsell's ability to consistently surpass expectations will translate well to the Cubs.

Notably, Counsell's lack of success in the postseason, with only one series win out of five appearances, is seen by some as a blemish on his managerial record. However, Hoyer disputes this notion, stating that Counsell's talent lies in his ability to navigate a long season successfully.

With Ross out and Counsell in, the Cubs will embark on a new era under their new manager. It remains to be seen how Counsell will fare with the Cubs' roster and whether his leadership will bring the team back to postseason glory. Cubs fans will eagerly await the start of the season to see what lies ahead for their beloved team.