With Craig Counsell already garnering interesting from Nickeil Alexander-Walker Jersey the Mets and Guardians, it only makes sense that another team with a managerial vacancy would also look into the soon-to-be free agent skipper. According to , the Astros have expre sed interest in Counsell, but its unclear how serious their pursuit would be. It could be that Houston is just doing its due diligence in checking in on Counsell, given his impre sive track record over nine seasons with the Brewers. The Astros naturally expect to contend again in 2024, so hiring a manager like Counsell who has proven he can consistently get teams into the postseason would seem like a logical way to fill the big shoes left behind by the retiring Dusty Baker. Since it has been barely over a week since the Astros were eliminated from the ALCS and Baker announced his retirement, the clubs managerial search has yet to really kick into full gear. Bench coach Joe Espada and former Tigers/Angels manager Brad Ausmus two of the top potential candidates, but word has yet to filter out about what other names Houston could be considering for the job. As for Counsell, his contract with the Brewers officially ends today, so the manager will be fully available as of Wednesday to be hired by another team. This doesnt mean that a decision is nece sarily coming quickly, as MLB Networks Jon Morosi ( ) notes that there isnt any known timeline Counsell might have in choosing his next job. The potential inclusion of the Astros adds another wrinkle to a list of suitors that is already three teams deep. The Brewers already granted the Mets and Guardians permi sion to interview Counsell, while Hogg hears from a source that the Brewers themselves have begun the proce s of requesting interviews with potential managerial replacements. This is another natural due-diligence move since obviously the Crew dont want to start a managerial search from scratch if Counsell does leave, though it does represent some uncertainty within Milwaukees front office over what Counsells decision will be. By this point, it appears as though Counsell will certainly become the highest-paid manager in the sport, as its hard to imagine his next deal wouldnt top the $4.5MM average annual salary Terry Francona received as the Guards former manager. The Mets and owner Steve Cohen could certainly throw their financial weight around if it means bringing Counsell into the fold, but Hogg argues that the Brewers have no reason to not offer Counsell a big raise, as he was already making a $3.5MM salary. As Hogg further notes, a managers salary is comparatively small in relation to the salaries that even a smaller-market team like the Brewers give to average players. Sindarius Thornwell Jersey