Five months into a season that’s been more about evaluating the future than chasing wins, St. Louis Cardinals manager Oli Marmol sees his work as far from done.
The season may be nearing its end, with organizational changes looming soon after, but player development doesn’t wrap up on the final day. There are still lessons to learn and progress to track.
“I think there’s still a ton to learn,” Marmol said Monday. “This next month is extremely important in continuing to evaluate guys and making sure the things you want to see them improve on are actually moving forward.”
How those evaluations line up with the vision of new baseball operations leader Chaim Bloom remains uncertain. Whatever differences exist between Bloom and outgoing president John Mozeliak have mostly stayed behind the scenes, but they still influence the direction of the team.
Injuries have further complicated the picture. Victor Scott II (ankle) is about a week away from returning, Lars Nootbaar (rib) remains out, and rookie shortstop Masyn Winn admitted his knee issues will likely require offseason surgery. These factors cloud evaluations — Winn’s reduced base stealing, for instance, must now be weighed alongside his medical history.
That makes Marmol’s role over the next month even more nuanced.
“My job is to make sure our staff has clear plans for each player, hold them accountable for progress, and find ways to help them execute,” Marmol explained. “At the end of the year, I’ll let the people above decide how we move forward.”
Of course, Marmol himself is part of that evaluation. Though he insists he isn’t worried about his own job, the reality is he’s being judged too. Given the roster’s limitations, it’s hard to argue he hasn’t squeezed out as much as possible.
But the organization is entering uncharted territory. For decades, stability has defined Cardinals baseball. This winter, however, marks the biggest transition in 30 years, arriving as attendance dips, media rights waver, and the franchise faces unfamiliar uncertainty.
Player development rarely follows a straight line, and no decision will be made with perfect information. Scott, for instance, has five years of team control, while Nootbaar has two — a dynamic that may shape how patient the club can afford to be.
Still, Marmol rejects the idea that time is on his side.
“Do you? Because you always have someone on your heels,” he said.
That’s the challenge. With fewer than 30 games left, the Cardinals are staring at difficult decisions — and the only option is to confront them head-on and make the most of what remains.
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