Brewers Owner's Update on Craig Counsell's Extension Status Not Much of an Update

Even though we are more than three-fourths of the way through the 2023 season, a couple topics surrounding the team remain up in the air. One of those is the contract extension status of Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell.

Counsell, the winningest manager in franchise history, is in the final year of his current contract. No extension was agreed upon this last offseason and, up to this point, there have not been talks about one during the season either.

In late July, Brewers general manager Matt Arnold was asked about the subject of Counsell's future contract status. He had no update at that time, mentioning that the topic would be approached again after the 2023 season was over.

Well on Saturday, the media got a chance to speak to the man with the checkbook, Brewers owner Mark Attanasio. And during that time, reporters asked about the subject of Counsell's contract once again. They got....basically the same answer.

Brewers owner Mark Attanasio was asked about the status of manager Craig Counsell on Saturday and didn't give much of an update.

Among those who were able to speak to Attanasio on Saturday were Milwaukee Journal Sentinel journalist Todd Rosiak. Per his tweet on X (formerly Twitter), Attanasio did recently meet with Counsell about the subject.

Per Rosiak, Attanasio stated that instead of digging into contract negotiations and providing a potential distraction at a pivotal time, "the focus is going to be on the field." The plan will then be to resume discussions after the season.

As for whether he feels what Counsell might ultimately decide. Also per Rosiak, Attanasio said, "it's up to Craig. We'd love to have him here, obviously."

It does make sense that the Brewers don't want to add any possible distractions to this season. Milwaukee is fighting to make their way back into the playoffs after missing them for the first time in five years last season. They currently have a season high four-game lead in the NL Central but are still trying to fend off the pesky Cubs (four games back) and Reds (five games back).

Still, it's hard to imagine a world without Counsell as manager. SInce taking over the job early in the 2015 seasons, the fan favorite from Wisconsin has gone on to become the franchise leader in games managed and games won as manager.

Unfortunately, Brewers fans won't have an answer as to whether Counsell will attempt to extend those records after the 2023 season ends. With Craigtember right around the corner, maybe that's for the best.