St. Louis Cardinals manager Oli Marmol finds himself in a precarious position of his own doing. The team has entered a rebuilding phase, as stated by outgoing executive John Mozeliak. With Chaim Bloom expected to take over full-time leadership soon, Marmol’s job could be in jeopardy this offseason unless the Cardinals unexpectedly make a deep playoff run.
That’s not to say Marmol hasn’t shown growth. He’s moved past some of his earlier, more public missteps—like the time he criticized Tyler O’Neill’s baserunning shortly after an injury. Still, it’s a valid question whether he’s the right person to guide the team into what fans hope will be a new, successful era.
Frustration among the fanbase is evident, and attendance has dipped—partly due to the front office’s inactivity last offseason. Marmol shares the blame for that, along with Mozeliak, particularly for not dealing Nolan Arenado.
Should the Cardinals part ways with Marmol, they have intriguing in-house options. Franchise icons Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina, both of whom have managerial experience in LIDOM and will lead their national teams in the next World Baseball Classic, could be strong candidates to take the helm.
Skip Schumaker, ideal Cardinals manager, may have better options on the table
If Chaim Bloom opts to pursue a young manager with a proven track record, Skip Schumaker stands out as a strong candidate. His leadership qualities and strategic decisions are not in question. However, the challenge lies in the competition for his services, as the Cardinals would not be the only organization interested.
Schumaker is currently part of the Texas Rangers’ front office in an advisory role and is a logical successor to Bruce Bochy, should Bochy choose to retire after the season. Additionally, several veteran managers may be nearing the end of their tenures, including Brian Snitker of the Atlanta Braves.
Snitker has faced growing criticism from Braves fans amid the team’s underwhelming performance this season. A recent incident, where Snitker failed to discipline Jarred Kelenic for a lack of effort on the basepaths, drew public scrutiny—even from Ronald Acuña Jr.
Given the potential managerial openings, Schumaker may prefer opportunities with the Braves or Rangers over the Cardinals, as both teams are more immediately competitive. Meanwhile, the Cardinals’ continued support of Oliver Marmol may have negative consequences if the team does not improve, particularly as managerial candidates like Schumaker evaluate their options this offseason.
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