Cardinals open door for Yadier Molina's return

The long-awaited rebuild has moved full steam ahead for the St. Louis Cardinals. After finishing the 2025 season in fourth place in the NL Central with a 78-84 record, Chaim Bloom formally took over as the club's president of baseball operations following the retirement of John Mozeliak. 

Bloom has a large task ahead of him to reshape the Cardinals' roster. Among the first decisions he made was to announce that manager Oliver Marmol would return next season. Marmol's staff, however, will see some changes. 

Joe McEwing will not return, according to a report from MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. McEwing and the Cardinals "mutually agreed to part ways", though he's expected to pursue coaching opportunities elsewhere. McEwing spent the first two years of his nine-year playing career in St. Louis, but was only on Marmol's staff for one season as his bench coach. McEwing spent the last two seasons as a special assistant to Mozeliak. 

The door opens for Yadier Molina's return

With McEwing departing the organization and Marmol's coaching staff in transition, the moves create an opportunity for the Cardinals to bring a franchise legend back into the fold. 

Yadier Molina spent the entirety of his 19-year career in St. Louis, winning nine Gold Glove Awards and appearing in 10 All-Star Games. The two-time World Series winner batted .277/.327/.399 (96 OPS+) with 408 doubles and 176 home runs during his career, while regularly being viewed as one of the best defensive catchers in the sport.

He and Marmol have a history together. Marmol's first year managing the Cardinals coincided with Molina's final year playing.  

Yadier Molina's coaching resume

Molina has worked with the Cardinals as a temporary coach several times since retiring, but the 43-year-old is eager to take a full-time role. Molina posted to Instagram proclaiming himself "ready to return to the field -- whether as a coach or manager -- in MLB, Mexico or wherever I can continue my baseball career, contributing and giving back to the sport I'm passionate about." 

In addition to the occasional duties helping out with the Cardinals, Molina does have some managerial experience on his resume. He helmed Puerto Rico's team in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. He's also managed in the winter leagues in each of the last three winters, including leading the Aguilas Cibaenas of the Dominican Winter League a year ago. 

Molina and the Cardinals have reportedly had talks about his future, but there are no indications that the team (or any other) is close to hiring him. St. Louis should jump at the opportunity now, though, following McEwing's departure. Marmol may have the backing of the front office for now, but if the team has the chance to bring in his potential successor it should.