Cardinals rumors: 3 familiar faces to replace Oli Marmol, 1 to avoid

Cardinals rumors: 3 familiar faces to replace Oli Marmol, 1 to avoid at all cost

By Mark Powell | Jun 13, 2023

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 24: Manager Oliver Marmol #37 of the St. Louis Cardinals talks with Yadier Molina #4 during batting practice prior to the game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on August 24, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

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Oct 6, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Shildt (8) walks onto the field to take starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (not pictured) out of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

Cardinals Rumors: Admit firing Mike Shildt was a mistake

The St. Louis Cardinals mysteriously and unceremoniously fired manager Mike Shildt after a 2021 NL Wild Card loss. Shildt, a veteran manager who had a decent amount of success with the Cardinals, was heartbroken, and took a role in the San Diego Padres organization. Shildt is ready to manage again when given the opportunity.

Per ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Shildt was fired in St. Louis due to some “philosophical differences” with the Cards front office. Whatever that means, it was enough for John Mozeliak to install his own puppet regime with Marmol, but that hasn’t led the the postseason glamour the front office hoped it would.

As FanSided’s Josh Hill noted at the time, the Cards choice to move on from Shildt was curious, to say the least.

"“The exact dollar amount of Shildt’s deal wasn’t reported, but it’s believed to be on the very low-end of managerial salaries in baseball. Having a talented manager on such a cheap deal, yet moving on from him with a year left, makes the move even more puzzling. Especially when considering the Cardinals will likely look for a big name manager to step in and try to take the team to a level that the front office didn’t believe was possible under Shildt — the type of hire that will almost certainly cost more than it would to have kept things as they were for another season.”"

If St. Louis and Shildt can put their egos aside, bringing back a familiar face to take this team to new heights might be exactly what the Cards need. Shildt wants to manage again. Why not pick up right where he left off?

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