“The Cubs are a disgrace”; “It's called underachieving” - Fans lash out at Cubs front office as Craig Counsell admits 'big gap' to Brewers

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said there is a "big gap" between his team and their division rivals, the Milwaukee Brewers, who clinched the National League Central earlier this week. Counsell tipped his hat to the Brewers, and he believes the Cubs still have a long way to catch up to his former team.

The comments certainly did not go down well with the fans as they lashed out at the Cubs front office and team management for yet another disappointing campaign.

Craig Counsell won three division titles and made five playoff appearances in his nine years with the Brewers before leaving the club when his contract ended last season.

Counsell then signed a five-year, $40 million deal to join the Chicago Cubs, making him the highest-paid manager in MLB history. However, the Cubs are going to finish behind the Brewers once again this season:

"The message sent is there's a big gap. They're ahead of us by a lot," Counsell said on Thursday. "It's a talented team. On and off the field, it's a talented team. But there's a big gap. We've got room to make up, there's no question about it."

Counsell's comments were expectedly greeted with a torrent of rage from disappointed Cubs fans on X/Twitter:

"The Cubs are a disgrace," tweeted one fan.

"It's called underachieving, Craig," wrote another.

"That’s an indictment on the front office," one fan remarked.

"If you had a closer that gap wouldn't be that big!" claimed one fan.

"CC is not responsible for the Cubs' season. He inherited the players and coaches. However, I never thought he was an amazing coach in Milwaukee," another fan said.

"Thanks for making zero diff CC. Enjoy the 8 million gift," one fan added.

The Cubs finished two games above .500 last season and are unlikely to have a better record this season. They are currently nine games behind the Brewers in second place in the NL Central standings with a 79-75 record, while they have a seven-game deficit to the final Wild Card spot.

We've got room to go: Craig Counsell

Craig Counsell signed a five-year $40 million deal with the Chicago Cubs (Image Credit: IMAGN)

The Chicago Cubs expected a big improvement after hiring Craig Counsell at the start of the season. At $229 million, the Cubs have the highest payroll in the NL Central and the seventh-highest in the entire MLB.

Yet, they have been outdone once again by the Milwaukee Brewers, who operate with nearly half their amount. The Brewers have a $115 million payroll, which ranks 21st among the 30 teams.

"Frankly, that makes it daunting," Counsell said via SI.com. "They've been good, man. For the whole division, I say that about the other teams, too. They've created a gap the last two years in the division. We've got room to go, man."

Counsell has not made a massive impact since coming to Wrigley Field, but he will need to take some big strides with the Cubs next year to justify his hefty contract.