Per Buster Olney--We may be stuck with Marmol through 2026

[VegasVinny]

My expectations of a better W-L record in 2026 are awfully low, so I'm not getting worked up either way.

As with many things that will come up in the next 12-18 months: Bloom + the inherent benefit of the doubt > Mozeliak + the status quo.

I will amend this with one caveat. If Bloom has a candidate he feels will best suit the club for 2027/2028 and beyond, hire that person before another org beats us to the punch.

[Carp4Cy]

I think it would be a HUGE mistake for DeWitt to keep Marmol for another year. I understand that DeWitt has to pay Marmol whether he manages the Cardinals next year or not. I think it would cost DeWitt more money to keep Oli than to let him go. DeWitt has lost a large portion of the fan base. I believe that DeWitt would be better off bringing in a new manager that would give hope to the fans. In my opinion this is one of the first steps to getting people to return to Busch Stadium.

Investing in the right mgr would more than pay itself. It doesn’t take that many incremental tickets to cover the relatively lowish salary of a manager.

[Ozziesfan41]

Well at least oli won’t feel any pressure to win next season either that’s always a good thing

[ScotchMIrish]

If DeWitt and/or his son are still involved I doubt they are thrilled with attendance. The team was 51-46 at the break and attendance mediocre at best and currently 19th. In contrast Matheney's finals full season the Cardinals were 2nd in MLB in attendance and the team was 83-79.

I'm not a Marmol fan but I think the issues are deeper than the manager. They need to somehow get a tv deal that allows cable and satellite to carry the games as part of the basic package. A lot of people won't pay $20 a month for something they used to get for free. Inability to watch games leads to lack of interest which leads to poor attendance.

New manager and coaching staff along with a new more fan friendly tv deal and attendance might spike.

[Red7]

I'm confident that I'll be corrected if I'm wrong, but I think both Matheny and Shildt were fired with a year still left on their contracts.

Shhhh…rant/narrative going on. No place for facts.

[icon]

Considering the weakness of this team, Marmol has really improved as a Mgr . The current coaching staff is much better than when he first became Mgr. His in game managing has gotten much better. The player seem to like him which is a plus. Everything seems to point towards Oli returning for at least one more season.

Who cares whether this bunch of losers likes Marmol? Of course, they like a country club atmosphere where stupid mistakes are made with impunity, and they directly lead to losses. Like Herrera's not one, but two, base running gaffes in extra innings last night that probably cost a run and a win. Failure to tag up on a deep fly to right, and then, with 1 out, running like an idiot at the crack of the bat on a routine fly to CF that could have been a SF with proper base running. Doubled off 2B. He should have been pulled from the game even if a pitcher had to take his place. But no.

And these guys sure like to yuk it up in the dugout when they're getting demolished. This is what happens when a manager is told by the POBO he has no pressure to win. Marmol never looks as if he has a care in the world. Why should he?

And please tell me how much these hitters have improved under Brant Brown. Who exactly? Noot? Gorman? Walker? Scott? And Burly, Donovan and Winn are about the same. Not much to boast about. And if Brown wanted Walker to look at more film, why not make film sessions mandatory? That's just more evidence of a country club atmosphere that Marmol and Mozeliak have created.

[smilinjoefission]

Exactly what I’ve been saying. You’re in for a big disappointment if you think Oli will be gone next year.

Then we're in for a big disappointment of a season.

[Mort Gage]

I wouldn't be surprised if they extended him for two years, just as they did the first time he was entering his final year.

[rockondlouie]

Considering the weakness of this team, Marmol has really improved as a Mgr . The current coaching staff is much better than when he first became Mgr. His in game managing has gotten much better. The player seem to like him which is a plus. Everything seems to point towards Oli returning for at least one more season.

Who cares whether this bunch of losers likes Marmol? Of course, they like a country club atmosphere where stupid mistakes are made with impunity, and they directly lead to losses.

+1

Oli is more of a peer (age 39)/pal than he is a leader (aka Manager).

And he's shown no growth whatsoever as a Manager, his in game management (other than managing the pen') is virtually non existent.

Simple fundamental miscues have never been eliminated.

Bad Manager, will only be here in 2026 if BDWJr say's so due to him being under contract.

[Ordinary Man]

I'm confident that I'll be corrected if I'm wrong, but I think both Matheny and Shildt were fired with a year still left on their contracts.

Matheny was fired in the middle of the first year of a three year extension. He was fired in July 2018 and was under contract through the 2020 season. Another unwarranted Moe extension.

So he had roughly 2 1/2 years left.

[OregonRedbird]

Just returned from Seattle and three two-run losses. The number of strikeouts continues to be shocking and was exceeded only by their predictable failure to take advantage of opportunities, such as bases loaded no outs and Gilbert striking out the side.

What an exercise in futility. Every game was winnable but the clearly better team won. The Mariners are very, very good.

What strikes me is how dull this team is. How little we've done to do anything to change it. Little wonder Busch looks like a graveyard.

[mizfan]

Bloom may make the changes, but Dewitt is more worried about the attendance and profits than winning. He knows one aspect of getting people back in the seats is a new culture which involves a new manager. Fair or not that is the reality.

[arkansascardsfan]

I do believe Marmol has done his best work this year but he needs to be reassigned if he wants to stay with the Cardinals Organization. Bringing in a new manager will go a long way to building some fan interest again. If they stand pat with Marmol again it will send the wrong message about getting us back on the right track. They need to thank him for his service and move him someplace else. His salary isn't enough for ownership to be concerned or do the wrong thing by keeping his to save a few bucks. They are losing so much money from attendance and ballpark concessions. Need to make the move for a new manager.

[Hoosier59]

Considering the weakness of this team, Marmol has really improved as a Mgr . The current coaching staff is much better than when he first became Mgr. His in game managing has gotten much better. The player seem to like him which is a plus. Everything seems to point towards Oli returning for at least one more season.

Who cares whether this bunch of losers likes Marmol? Of course, they like a country club atmosphere where stupid mistakes are made with impunity, and they directly lead to losses. Like Herrera's not one, but two, base running gaffes in extra innings last night that probably cost a run and a win. Failure to tag up on a deep fly to right, and then, with 1 out, running like an idiot at the crack of the bat on a routine fly to CF that could have been a SF with proper base running. Doubled off 2B. He should have been pulled from the game even if a pitcher had to take his place. But no.

And these guys sure like to yuk it up in the dugout when they're getting demolished. This is what happens when a manager is told by the POBO he has no pressure to win. Marmol never looks as if he has a care in the world. Why should he?

And please tell me how much these hitters have improved under Brant Brown. Who exactly? Noot? Gorman? Walker? Scott? And Burly, Donovan and Winn are about the same. Not much to boast about. And if Brown wanted Walker to look at more film, why not make film sessions mandatory? That's just more evidence of a country club atmosphere that Marmol and Mozeliak have created.

Good post! There hasn’t been any accountability for bad play in over two years. Marmol isn’t a leader, he’s too busy trying to be just one of the guys! I don’t believe the rest of the coaching staff feels the same way, but their on leashes and can only do so much!
If Oli stays, next year will be worse than this year! Especially attendance wise!

[skeezix]

Let's evaluate ownership business strategy:
1. Three Sticks jokingly tells the fans that they need to buy tickets, or more budget cuts are likely.
2. Whatever money is coming will be directed toward rebuild of player development. That's great, if you're a fan of Palm Beach or Peoria.
3. A ticket price for 2026 is a certainty, after 3 seasons of meaningless performance.
The problem is deeper than the field manager, don't you think? It hearkens to Marie Antoinette, who told the French people, "Let them eat cake". It cost the king and queen their heads.

[blackinkbiz]

To be honest, if they're not spending aggressively this offseason which A) doesn't seem likely considering Bloom's M.O. is building from youth and B) really doesn't seem likely with the expiring CBA, there's no point in replacing Oli.

I'll b*tch and moan about him every night but the real concern is how well is he at developing the younger guys, as the biggest ones aren't exactly doing ewll.