The St. Louis Cardinals are facing another disappointing season, heading into September with a .500 record and six games behind in the National League Wild Card race.
If the team fails to make the postseason again or finishes below .500 for the second consecutive year, significant changes could be on the horizon. One potential change might involve the managerial position. Manager Oli Marmol has faced increasing criticism, and Brandon Scott of Bleacher Report has named him as the most likely candidate to be fired at the end of the season.
Scott noted, “With the Cardinals at risk of finishing below .500 for the second year in a row, Marmol, who became the youngest MLB manager at 35 when appointed in October 2021, could be in trouble. Additionally, Cardinals legend Yadier Molina is rumored to be a potential successor.”
The Cardinals are under pressure to close the season on a high note, but if they fall short, a managerial change could be forthcoming. Marmol, who took over from Mike Shildt in 2021 and led the team to a 93-win season in 2022, saw the team struggle in 2023 with 91 losses. Despite this, he received a contract extension.
If the Cardinals decide to make a change, Molina could be a candidate to replace Marmol, along with Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker, whose contract expires at season’s end. The decision will likely depend on how the Cardinals finish the current season.