5 candidates to replace Mike Matheny as St. Louis Cardinals manager

4. Jose Oquendo

Oquendo is another internal candidate, as the Cardinals’ long-time third base coach from 1999-2015 before starting his second stint in the same job this year. He also spent the majority of his playing career (1986-1995) with the Cardinals, as the lesser-known part of a high-level double play tandem with Ozzie Smith.

Oquendo interviewed to replace La Russa when Matheny ultimately got the job in 2011, and he has interviewed for past managerial openings with the Mariners, Mets and Padres. He managed Team Puerto Rico, and Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, in the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classics. It seems like only a matter of time before Oquendo is a major league manager, and he’s as qualified as any candidate for any potential opening looking toward next year.

Oquendo would surely openly profess a return to the “Cardinal Way,” to the extent that term carries weight beyond a soundbite to win an introductory press conference, as the team dissolved into sloppy, listless play under Matheny. It’s worth noting Matheny also had history as a Cardinals player, but Oquendo has coaching experience to set him apart and bolster his resume.