Pujols, Molina Express Desire to Manage. Does This Increase Pressure on Cardinals’ Marmol?
As the St. Louis Cardinals struggled during the summer of 2023, Joe Maddon appeared to make countless television appearances, offering opinions on how the team could recover. The former manager of the Tampa Bay Rays, Chicago Cubs, and most recently the Los Angeles Angels, had plenty of ideas on how he would hypothetically lead the team to improvement.
However, Maddon’s frequent appearances were met with eye rolls within the walls of Busch Stadium. If he thought a managerial change was imminent – and the Cardinals never seriously considered such a move during that time – his approach to campaigning for the position was hardly subtle. He may have considered a more discreet method.
“I’m serious about managing. This game has done so much for me, and now I want to give back,” Albert Pujols told Bob Nightengale of USA Today in a March 8 article. “I’m ready.”
“If we decide as a family, if I have a chance to manage, I can manage anywhere,” Yadier Molina told Katie Woo of The Athletic on March 10. “I’d manage the Chicago Cubs, if they want.”
Take notes, Joe.
The Cardinals are entering a period of uncertainty that the current ownership group and franchise have not faced before. What started as an advertised reset has now become stagnation, leaving the public skeptical about the team’s chances for 2025. A front-office transition has already been set, with Chaim Bloom waiting to take control of baseball operations after this season.
Despite popular opinion, that conclusion is far from certain.
Many feel the Cardinals are wasting time, burning a year off the calendar without addressing the need for a full teardown. Whether deserved or not, there is a noticeable disinterest in the team’s performance this summer. Fans are eager for change and are not willing to wait patiently to see what alterations are necessary. This situation is especially tough for manager Oli Marmol, who now faces added pressure from two franchise icons eyeing his job.
Marmol’s contract extends through 2026, following an extension signed last spring. This extension was a public endorsement from the club, hoping to remove any distractions during what they hoped would be a bounce-back season. However, by May 2024, the situation had become so dire that some in the building wondered if special assistant Joe McEwing was scouting for a future big league staff.
A win on Mother’s Day in Milwaukee broke a seven-game losing streak and sparked a six-week stretch where the Cardinals went 26-16, playing more like themselves and less like a team struggling to find answers. They stayed competitive through the season, adding veteran players at the trade deadline and achieving the external quiet they sought.
In truth, Marmol has been in a tough spot since taking over. Mike Shildt’s dismissal was marred by poor messaging from John Mozeliak and the front office. The Cardinals had a solid 2022 season, bolstered by Pujols’ magic, but they faltered in the postseason. The following season was disastrous, and this season started poorly, even though they eventually began to recover.
Now, with the team in the middle of a reset but unsure how to begin, Marmol is tasked with leading a group of players toward improvement that won’t be fully reflected in win-loss records, although that number will still matter and be closely watched.
Neither Molina nor Pujols is actively attempting to replace Marmol. Molina, for example, emphasized that he considers Marmol a “great manager” with a “really good coaching staff.” They deserve praise for wanting to return to the game and share their extensive knowledge in any capacity they can.
External calls for the legends won’t unsettle Marmol. He is confident in his work and his place in the game, enjoying strong backing from those in charge. He can handle the pressure, as, after all, that’s what the money is for.