Manager Oliver Marmol #37 of the St. Louis Cardinals looks on during batting practice before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on June 3, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
As bad losses continue to mount and frustrate Cardinals fans, manager Oli Marmol’s replacements are discussed. But who should the Cardinals avoid?
The fan base is looking for answers after the St. Louis Cardinals‘ loss on Wednesday by a count 8-5 to the Giants. Many fans will tell you the losing has gotten so bad it’s time to make a change to shake things up for a clubhouse that seems lost.
The Cardinals were winning Wednesday until the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs and Mike Yastrezemski down two balls and two strikes. Giovanny Gallegos pitched what should have been the out to secure the victory, but instead, the ball traveled 417 feet to right field, tieing the game at 5. The Giants went on to win in extra innings over a shellshocked Cardinals squad.
After the game, manager Oli Marmol called the loss “unacceptable.” Honestly, everything has been “unacceptable” this season for the Cards. Marmol can keep saying things are unacceptable and doesn’t players out for a perceived lack of hustle or even communication issues, but it doesn’t seem to help.
Cardinals star third-baseman Nolan Arenado seemed rattled when asked about what was happening with the team. He sIsn’tarmol and the coaching staff were doing their best, but the players were not executing.
Isn’t that the job of the manager and coaches to get the team prepared to execute? Marmol has been dealt a bad hand over the past two seasons. This is true. He’s working with what he’s been given. This is what Mike Matheny and Mike Schildt had to do as well. Notably, both of these managers were fired.
It does become questionable to fire another manager when the issue is the players are not or are unable to execute the game plan. The Cardinals need pitching – starting and relief. After going into the last offseason knowing this was an issue, president of baseball operations John Mozeliak did nothing to improve the pitching staff after saying he would.
If Marmol is fired, a new manager is hired, and Mozeliak is still the team’s owner, any new manager will face these lingering issues.
If the team goes outside the organization for the new manager, which they may have to do, there would be some candidates they would have to avoid for fear of causing a more significant issue for the team regarding reputation. The reputation and image of the Cardinals is enormous in terms of the Cardinals Way.
Any new manager hire would have a ton placed on them in the way of expectations, from fans and the front office, to steer the ship back on course for an organization that has lost its way. Let’s see who the Cards should avoid hiring at all costs.
Cardinals rumors: 3 Oli Marmol replacements St. Louis must avoid
3. Carlos Beltran
Beltran was a beloved member of the Cardinals during his two seasons with the team. He was most notably beloved by the Cardinals for failing to take a swing after a young Adam Wainwright closed out the 2006 NLCS with a devastating curveball, though.
A few seasons after leaving the Cardinals, Beltran signed with the Houston Astros where he played a huge part in their 2017 World Series championship. Beltran is alleged to have played a huge role in cheating scandal leading to the championship. The scandal led to him having to resign from a managerial job with the New York Mets before he could even take the field with the team.
Beltran is trying to rebuild his reputation as a special assistant to Mets GM Billy Eppler.
While Beltran would add an interesting dynamic to the Cardinals organization, it’s not likely the team would move to add a manager with so much baggage.