The St. Louis Cardinals are determined to bounce back from their disappointing 2023 campaign. Amidst rising expectations, Oliver Marmol, the team’s manager, is well aware of the chatter speculating about his future.
With his contract set to expire after the 2024 season, there have been murmurs about Marmol’s tenure, but the manager is resolute in his commitment to the Cardinals’ resurgence, as per insights shared by Ben Frederickson of The St. Louis Dispatch.
“I don’t let contract talk drive me. If you view it that way, it calls into question your dedication over the past two years. My focus has always been on elevating the St. Louis Cardinals during my 18-year journey with the organization. This season is no exception,” Marmol emphasized.
Marmol ascended to the role of manager in 2022 after serving as the first base coach and bench coach. His inaugural season showed promise, as the Cardinals posted an impressive 93-69 record, clinching the NL Central title. However, their postseason aspirations were dashed when they were swiftly eliminated in the Wild Card Series. Subsequently, the team’s fortunes took a downward turn.
In the 2023 season, the Cardinals languished at the bottom of the NL Central with a discouraging 71-91 record. It marked the first time since 2018 that St. Louis missed the playoffs, and the first instance of falling short of 80 wins since 2007.
Despite significant additions to their roster, including Sonny Gray and Lance Lynn, the onus of rallying the Cardinals now rests heavily on Oliver Marmol’s shoulders. While the manager remains steadfast in his focus on the team’s performance, he is aware that continued struggles could intensify the scrutiny on his position.