St. Louis Cardinals Rumors: Is Oli Marmol's job in jeopardy?
The St. Louis Cardinals are not expected to move on from manager Oli Marmol despite the team's struggles this season. It would take a monumental collapse -- and likely some clubhouse drama -- to force Marmol out. While the front office is understandably disturbed by their on-field product, Marmol is unlikely to be judged for any second half issues the Cardinals have.
The job of Marmol post-trade deadline is to sort through the young talent on St. Louis's roster and find more players to build around. That includes the likes of Drew Rom, who has now received two starts and improved over the weekend. John Mozeliak is aware this isn't the Cards final form, and that's why he believes it unfair to judge or blame Marmol for their on-field faults.
Cliff Williams of Redbird Rants suggested that Marmol does deserve some blame for the team's faults this season, though much of it is on the coaching staff the front office assembled to help Marmol.
"The Cardinals have the youngest manager in all of MLB who was completely out-coached in the playoffs, coming back for his second year. He just lost his bench coach, hitting coach, and the pitching coach. When they did find a bench coach he quit after two months. This used to be a team that coaches and players wanted to come to and be a part of," Williams wrote.
It's easy to forget just how young Marmol is. In many ways, he's learning on the job, but doesn't have veteran coaching minds to avoid some bumps in the road. That is on Mozeliak and the Cardinals front office, which should have known better.
St. Louis Cardinals Rumors: Could Noah Syndergaard be a fit?
Noah Syndergaard's fall from grace has been a brutal one. Thor, formerly among the best young pitchers in a New York Mets organization which featured Zack Wheeler, Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey and more, underwent Tommy John surgery in 2020 and hasn't been the same since.
Syndergaard pitched fairly well in 2022 with the Angels and Phillies, securing a spot on Philadelphia's NL champion roster. Syndergaard has a 3.94 ERA and signed with the Dodgers this offseason on a one-year prove it deal. Unfortunately, that did not work to Thor's favor, as he had an ERA over seven and was shipped to Cleveland at the trade deadline as part of the Amed Rosario deal.
The Guardians designated Syndergaard for assignment over the weekend. Assuming he goes unclaimed, Syndergaard will be able to sign with any team in need of rotation help. As Nick Deeds of MLB Trade Rumors points out, expect several teams to be in on Syndergaard for his name recognition alone.
"As for Syndergaard, assuming he goes unclaimed on waivers he'll have the opportunity to return to the free agent market and look to catch on with another team. Brutal as his results have been this year, teams are always on the lookout for potential depth options, particularly on a no-risk minor league deal like the one Syndergaard would presumably command. To be eligible to participate in the postseason with his new club, Syndergaard will have to sign before September 1," Deeds wrote.
An organization like the Cardinals would be wise to see what Syndergaard has left in the tank. On a one-year flyer (perhaps with a team option, since Syndergaard is desperate), Syndergaard could join a Cards rotation which lacks depth right away. If he pitches well, who knows? St. Louis only has two key rotation contributors under contract for next season.
St. Louis Cardinals Rumors: Jordan Montgomery trade pays off
The Jordan Montgomery trade has paid off for the St. Louis Cardinals. While Montgomery continues to pitch well for the Texas Rangers, which could be playoff bound if they can turn things around in a crowded division featuring the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners,
Thomas Saggese, the 21-year-old prospect and centerpiece of the Montgomery trade, is already thriving in the St. Louis Cardinals system. While Masyn Winn is viewed as the future at the shortstop position for the Cards, Saggese could eventually switch positions, especially if he continues to hit like this, per FOX's Joey Schneider:
- Saggese has picked up at least one hit in all but four of his first 22 games as a Cardinals farmhand.
- Saggese has nine multi-hit games with Springfield.
- Saggese delivered his first minor-league cycle last Saturday, one of just two for Cardinals prospects over the past decade.
- Saggese has 145 hits at the Double-A level this year, leading every minor-league player in hits at one specific level this season.
Those numbers don't happen overnight, and Saggese may exceed his expected debut date of late 2024. While a promotion this season seems unlikely, Saggese could make his way through the Cardinals system quickly.
