Counsell’s focus not on rebuilding team

In recent days, both Brewers principal owner Mark Attanasio and general manager Doug Melvin have expressed a willingness to rebuild the team’s roster if necessary in the wake of the worst start to a season in franchise history.

New manager Craig Counsell certainly was aware of that possibility before accepting a three-year deal, but he made it clear Wednesday he can’t be worried about such things as he tries to get the Brewers back on track.

“I’ve seen Doug’s comments,” Counsell said. “Everybody knows the spot we’re in. It’s been put out there. Doug said it’s a possibility, but I feel like you focus on winning games.

“That’s something for the future and you’re aware of it, but it’s not something you focus on right now. The way I see it, there’s nothing I would do differently, no matter what the statement is. I’m trying to win games. I don’t see how it would affect what I’m doing.

“If that’s something we have to do, if that’s a direction, then I understand that.”

While Counsell is sure to keep that focus, it often is a different story with players on the team. If trade rumors start percolating involving various names, it often can be a distraction.

Part of Counsell’s job will be to try to make sure, as best he can, that doesn’t happen.

“Players all have things to worry about,” he said. “The biggest thing they worry about is the game the next day. That’s the great thing about the game (of baseball) is that there’s a game the next day that really grabs most of your attention.

“It’s easy for that to grab most of your attention. It’s not a distraction. It’s THE thing. That’s how I’m going to approach it. Whatever is going on around you, we can still give a great effort and play a great game tonight.”

Counsell said it wasn’t important to get a three-year deal in the event a rebuilding plan is put in place.

“I don’t think that had anything to do with it,” he said. “Whoever the manager is, you’re evaluated on how you’re doing your job. I feel like I’m accountable for certain things, and then certain things are out of my control. You have to accept that.”

Unfinished business: In his previous role as special assistant to Melvin, Counsell had many evaluation projects tossed his way. He admitted some of those would remain incomplete.

“There is stuff I didn’t finish that I haven’t addressed,” Counsell said. “I don’t think I’m going to, to be honest with you. That’s low on the priority list right now. I watched the Double-a team (Biloxi) and I owe Doug a report on the team. I’m probably a couple days away from that.”

Counsell was in Pensacola, Fla., watching the Biloxi club when the wheels were put in motion for him to replace Ron Roenicke. Counsell liked what he saw from that club, which includes some of the top prospects in the organization.

“They do have a lot of talent on that team,” he said. “It’s a very good baseball team. They’re fun to watch. (There is) a bunch of very good defenders on that team. They’ve got a little bit of everything.”

All for one: Mired in 0for-17 and 1-for-21 skids with only one home run, leftfielder Khris Davis said the biggest disappointment for him was the team’s awful start.

“First things first,” he said. “Nothing is rougher than being in last place in the big leagues, no doubt about it. When you’re not performing, you want to work as hard as you can to figure out what the solution is. That’s the attitude I take toward it.

“I know how important winning is for the fans. People here love us so much that we all want to look good as a team. We’ll find a way. We’ll decide who we want to be.”

As for his own woes, Davis said, “I’m just trying to control the things I can control. I’ll get hot. There’s no doubt the swing is there. It’s just a matter of when it clicks.”