The St. Louis Cardinals are looking to rebound after a last-place National League Central finish in 2023, recording their worst record in 33 years.
Despite the significant roster alterations made this offseason, which should hopefully increase their chances of turning things around, there is still pressure on the Cardinals to perform.
Of everyone in the organization who's feeling the most pressure to succeed this upcoming season, manager Oliver Marmol is at the top of that list. One National League rival executive predicts he might be replaced by a St. Louis legend if 2024 pans out like last season.
"'They’d (Cardinals) be at the top of my list of teams most likely to make a change (of manager),' said a rival NL exec," as transcribed by The Athletic's Jayson Stark on Friday. "'I’d just say this: Don’t go to sleep on the job Yadi (Molina) did managing in the Caribbean Series.'"
Molina led Puerto Rico to a 3-3 record before being eliminated by Curaçao one round short of the semifinals. Despite a disappointing end to the series, the team was always competitive and never lost a game by more than three runs.
The 10-time All-Star became a special assistant to Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak in December and is slated to be present at spring training to help catchers Willson Contreras and Iván Herrera prepare for the upcoming season.
The four-time Platinum Glove winner has expressed interest in returning to Major League Baseball in a coaching role and it looks like he might be sizing up to succeed Marmol if he cannot deliver in 2024.
Will we see Molina become the new manager of the Cardinals just two seasons after announcing his retirement from playing?
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