Oli Marmol’s relationship repair with Tyler O’Neill reeks of desperation

Tyler O’Neill committed a Cardinal sin and was absolved by manager Oli Marmol less than a week after. Foul play?

St. Louis Cardinals manager Oli Marmol decided to give outfielder Tyler O’Neill his starting spot back on Friday after their little spat earlier that week.

Marmol questioned O’Neill’s hustle during his lackadaisical base-running in a Tuesday loss to the Braves, when O’Neill was thrown out at home while trying to score from second base.

It comes down to one question: did O’Neill give his maximum effort? Those who believe he did will find no fault with O’Neill and praise him for standing his ground after Marmol publicly tore him down.

Those who don’t believe O’Neill tried his hardest to circle the bases, like his own manager, had a bone to pick with the player and believe benching O’Neill was the right thing to do.

Yet why would Marmol so quickly forgive O’Neill for his apparent lack of work ethic to re-insert him into the starting lineup for Friday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers?

He and the Cardinals were just that desperate. There’s no other reason to explain it.

Cardinals beef between Oli Marmol and Tyler O’Neill was hastily shoved under the rug

O’Neill ended up getting four at-bats in Friday’s game but failed to make contact; he was likely put back in the lineup for his history against Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff, who he recorded three homers against in 15 at-bats. The dominant outfielder also boasts six homers at Milwaukee’s stadium, the most he’s ever hit in any road game.

Marmol made it recently known that an ill feelings he felt toward O’Neill were in the past and appeared to be done feuding with the outfield who he believes is “one of the most talented players in the clubhouse”. A full 180, much?

If Marmol really wanted to hold O’Neill accountable, he wouldn’t have held him out of just a few games. He may even have entertained the possibility of trading him, perhaps for a more reliable starting pitcher.

Marmol pulled the same move on Harrison Bader, taking issue with Bader’s effort while running out a groundball last June. Bader shrugged his shoulders about it, and he was ultimately traded to the Yankees at the deadline.

O’Neill’s clear defiance to Marmol would arguably be grounds for a trade, and it’s just weird that all the hostility dissipated in a matter of days — or so we believe.

St. Louis may need O’Neill’s power and speed to take the club far this season, and in the wake of all this controversy, Marmol may truly be willing to let bygones be bygones. Anything for the good of the team, right?