Report: Cleveland Guardians managerial search includes Brewers' Craig Counsell

Whoever ends up taking on the Cleveland Guardians manager position into 2024 and beyond will certainly have big shoes to fill.

Terry Francona stepped down from his managerial duties after what he called "11 years of good" after the 2023 season in which the Guardians missed out on a playoff spot. Francona ended his 11-year run in Cleveland with a 921-757 record, making him the winningest manager in franchise history.

Cleveland now needs someone new at the helm.

Guardians: Terry Francona and the Guardians' managerial search: The road traveled and the road ahead

The list of potential candidates was given a bit of clarity by New York Post baseball columnist Jon Heyman, who posted on X that the shortlist of Guardians candidates includes Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell, who will be a coaching free agent beginning Nov. 1.

In addition to Counsell, who led the Brewers to a playoff berth in 2023, Heyman lists longtime MLB catcher and Seattle Mariners coach Steven Vogt, Chicago Cubs coach Andy Green, Craig Albernaz of the San Francisco Giants — who've already replaced former manager Gabe Kapler with Bob Melvin, formerly with the San Diego Padres — and New York Yankees assistant Carlos Mendoza.

The Guardians missed out on a postseason berth in 2023 and ultimately finished third in the weak AL Central division behind both the Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers. The Tigers showed signs of turning things around by going 39-34 in the second half of the season after a lackluster 39-50 mark in the first half, per Baseball-Reference.

Cleveland dealt with a slew of injuries throughout the season — particularly in the starting rotation — so staying healthy next season would certainly help whoever ends up being the choice to replace Francona.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Report: Craig Counsell included in Cleveland Guardians manager search