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.
2. Joe Girardi
Joe Girardi was a fan favorite in his short time with the Cardinals as a player in 2003. He is also known amongst Cardinals fans as the voice of the man who delivered the news of the death of Cardinals pitcher Darryl Kile to fans in 2001. Over the years, he has become a fairly successful manager but his recent stint with the Phillies may have soured him to future managerial jobs, both personally and professionally.
Girardi was fired halfway through the 2022 season by the Phillies after a 22-29 start. That team went on to a World Series appearance with Rob Thomson, who took over for Girardi.
This isn't his first experience being fired from a managerial job. He is now with the Marquee Sports Network in Chicago.
The Cardinals' current record is much worse than what Girardi got fired for while managing the Phillies. Would he grow frustrated with being in this situation again? Would he crack under the enormous pressure of this fan base which is desperate to return to its winning ways?
Girardi is a beloved figure in the Cardinals history. It would be terrible for that to be ruined.
1. Joe Maddon
Before Joe Maddon gained cult-like status as the manager that helped carry the Cubs to their first World Series championship in over 100 years, Maddon may have been an intriguing get for the Cardinals.
In fact, in 2011 after Tony LaRussa retired from baseball for the first time, Maddon was one of the candidates the media speculated could be a good fit as he'd had much success at that time with the Rays. Maddon didn't jump at the chance to join his childhood favorite team, completing his time with the Rays before going to the Cubs in 2015.
Maddon stayed with the Cubs until 2019 when he departed for the Angels. Maddon stayed with the Angels through June 2022 when he was fired in the midst of a 12-game losing streak. When your team has Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout, this shouldn't be happening. Considering this, it's certain Maddon wouldn't want to step into a situation like the Cardinals are having.
Maddon is now free to speak with the media and has been quick to defend Willson Contreras, who he managed with the Cubs, as well as discuss the other issues involving the Cardinals struggles. Considering his connection with the Cubs, it is more than a little frustrating for Cardinals fans to hear. Its certain those frustrated fans would balk at Maddon taking over their beloved team.
Maddon seems to enjoy his new lot in life, traveling and commenting on baseball. He should probably stick to that instead of managing, especially for the Cardinals. He would likely make a bad situation worse.
