Is Chaim Bloom next in line for St. Louis Cardinals?

The St. Louis Cardinals need a succession plan.

Back in February 2023, Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak had indicated that he planned on stepping away from the role once his current contract is over in 2025. Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reported that Mozeliak still intends to step down at that time. The only issue is setting up a succession plan as he begins to step back.

That succession plan may be in place. The Cardinals officially hired former Red Sox president of baseball operations Chiam Bloom on Jan. 8, although he had been serving as an unofficial advisor for some time. As John Denton from MLB.com noted at the time, Bloom would be serving in a part-time advisory role.

Bloom's role appears to go beyond what Denton and others have reported. Mozeliak stated that Bloom has been involved in discussions with team chairman Bill DeWitt III regarding the succession plan. Bloom has also been a part of the Cardinals' offseason moves as well. 

He is not the only person listed as a possible successor. Jones did note that general manager Mike Girsch and scouting director Randy Flores are other options. Yet it is easy to connect the dots. Bloom has held this role previously, albeit with mixed results as the Red Sox reached the postseason in 2021, but finished in the basement in his three other years. 

Baseball history is littered with people who struggled in their first jobs only to find success elsewhere. Bloom is just 40 years old and is still considered a boy genius despite his experience. Getting a fresh start in St. Louis could be exactly what he needs. The Cardinals' succession plan may be taking shape.