Cusumano: "Chaim Bloom Tells Me Oli Will Be Back"

[Cards1966]

It doesn't matter what all the reasons are contractually or because of lock out possibilities, keeping him as manager is not the look you want if you're trying to sell anything positive happening. Like him or not, this has been as bad a stretch of Cardinals baseball as we've ever had and he is the head guy. It makes it even more disappointing watching other clubs make moves and we just sit on our hands. Him being back would cause even more apathy and attendance will continue to slide. It may get to the point of no return for a lot of very frustrated Cardinals fans.

[NYCardsFan]

Of all the stupid nicknames I've seen posters on this board, and ME-lville and scouty are responsible for a lot, "high em" has to be the stupidest.

And that’s the least of its problems . . .

[Hooking]

I am sure he would tell a reporter that he is about to fire the guy if he actually was planning on it.

[redbirdfan51]

High quality players makes a good Mgr.

[sdaltons]

Of all the stupid nicknames I've seen posters on this board, and ME-lville and scouty are responsible for a lot, "high em" has to be the stupidest.

And that’s the least of its problems . . .

Right, then there's that

[Jatalk]

Oli “back” could just mean to START 2026?
He has one year left on his contract. Bloom has a lot on his plate(player personnel moves) and may want to see how he works “directly” with Oli now that he is the POBO?
If I were Oli I wouldn’t get too comfortable!

My thoughts exactly.

[dugoutrex]

Of all the stupid nicknames I've seen posters on this board, and ME-lville and scouty are responsible for a lot, "high em" has to be the stupidest.

And that’s the least of its problems . . .

nick name? - his first name is High Em, just because it is spelled Chaim doesn't change that simple fact

[Cusecards]

Oli “back” could just mean to START 2026?
He has one year left on his contract. Bloom has a lot on his plate(player personnel moves) and may want to see how he works “directly” with Oli now that he is the POBO?
If I were Oli I wouldn’t get too comfortable!

My thoughts exactly.

I’ll try to be patient.
Unfortunately we’re in a “dead period” for the whole month of October due to the postseason.
So even if Chaim has a list ready to go he can’t act until after the WS.

[Ronnie Dobbs]

Not that concerned about it. And if you think that DeWitt is cheap and Mo is terrible and built a bad roster, then not sure you should place a lot of blame on Oli for the way the team has performed. Would TLR have been able to get much more out of them?

I'm not a big Oli fan, but I don't think he's that bad, and if Bloom is good with him for another year, then I'm fine with it.

[icon]

So Oli will be back. The fans will not.

[Banner29]

So Oli will be back. The fans will not.

Right, Dewitt and Bloom have already botched regenerating fan interest and it’s been 2 days into their offseason……

[Bob Kunush]

Well, that's disappointing.
Probably stuck with him through 2026.
It's a shame they gave him that extension.
He'd be gone otherwise.
Cheap owners.

Maybe. There are professional baseball people who think he did a decent job also. He had terrible teams. They outperformed their expected win total. The bullpen management was very good. The only real reason to not bring him back in a rebuild year is if the perfect guy is put there and wants to manage your team, ot to appease emotional fans who dislike and condemn people because they cherry pick things.

Bernie Micklaz discusses this a lot. Not everybody thinks he did a terrible job.

[Braund241]

5 minutes ago on twitter... let the meltdowns begin

https://x.com/Frank_Cusumano/status/1973051658994119140

Tells you one of two things. Both bad. Either Bloom is as stupid as Mo, or he has no say. Cards don’t care under current ownership. Be prepared for 9 pathetic batters and a pitching staff that belong in A.

[Strummer Jones]

Color me unsurprised.

This team needs a LOT of help before even getting to the manager. I know I'm going to get shouted down for this, but given the circumstances, Oli did as good of a job as anyone could've this year. The starting rotation sucked and the line-up didn't have one fulcrum hitter, much less the 2-3 that you need to truly contend.

I think enough of the young guys took a step forward as hitters. Burleson was impressive. Herrera, too. I think Thomas Saggese has the talent to be an average/above average bat. Despite his struggles, Victor Scott improved from last year, and I expect him to become an slightly below average/average bat but one that plays exceptional defense at a crucial position. Winn regressed, but that's not uncommon for a young player in their sophomore season. I still expect him to get better--certainly has the drive to--and become an above average bat who plays exceptional defense at another important position. I think those alone tell me that Brant Brown should be kept on as the hitting coach. Not to mention that Contreras had another typical season for him. I don't see Arenado being a relevant hitting threat again. Walker, outside of his rookie year, hasn't been a relevant MLB threat yet, and Gorman DID show better discipline, but still can't shake his extreme streakiness. Overall, I think the hitting side of things needs some real talent. We've got the supplementary pieces, but again, that fulcrum hitter (or three) isn't here.

Do what you want with Dusty. I was not impressed by the pitching this year, save for the bullpen. I would consider Liberatore taking a step forward...but then Pallante took several steps back.

[icon]

So Oli will be back. The fans will not.

Right, Dewitt and Bloom have already botched regenerating fan interest and it’s been 2 days into their offseason……

Yep. Very stupid decision, but it probably wasn't Bloom's. More likely BDW Jr.'s.

How could Bloom look at the base running, situational hitting and other poor fundamentals and think Oli and his staff are worth keeping? Look at the change in the Marlins this year just by changing managers to a guy who by many accounts is a shrewd dude. So this argument that the Cardinals couldn't improve with a better manager if they don't spend a ton of money doesn't necessarily wash.

[Braund241]

Oh look, there is October baseball, and Mo, DeWitt, Bloom and Oli are not involved. Again.