Cardinals Rumors: Jack Flaherty trade, Marmol’s hot seat, Goldy suitor?
By Mark Powell
![ST LOUIS, MO - MAY 15: Jack Flaherty #22 of the St. Louis Cardinals looks on from the dug out during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Busch Stadium on May 15, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images) ST LOUIS, MO - MAY 15: Jack Flaherty #22 of the St. Louis Cardinals looks on from the dug out during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Busch Stadium on May 15, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/9100939c0d226b39dda9bcb033932097aac1dedf2e28430605cc8df288d1fe14.jpg)
Cardinals Rumors: How hot is Oli Marmol’s seat in London?
While the St. Louis Cardinals face the Chicago Cubs in London, Oli Marmol’s future with the franchise is very much in flux. Yes, the Cards front office has preached patience, and Marmol is in just his second year in charge of the on-field operations of the club.
Nonetheless, numerous missteps from Marmol — including but notwithstanding benching Tyler O’Neill and berating him publicly, asking Willson Contreras to switch positions and mishandling the bullpen repeatedly — have proven he’s not the manager St. Louis thought they had when they fired Mike Shildt years ago.
This Cardinals team was expected to win the NL Central. Instead, they sit in last place by a wide margin. Something will have to give this offseason, and it’s not absurd to consider Oli the scapegoat.
Prior to the London Series, Marmol tried to provide his team an out, just in case there were any nasty errors on the playing surface.
One thing to watch in today's Game 1 of the London Series: The artificial turf at London Stadium is playing extremely "bouncy," per Oli Marmol & players.
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) June 24, 2023
Players were bouncing balls over their heads on Fri. Of concern is OF charging balls & having them bounce over their heads.
While the artificial turf is a problem, it’s something both teams reasonably have to deal with. Through half of Sunday’s game, St. Louis has two errors. Coincidence, or poor management skills?
When his superstar Nolan Arenado was asked how the team could improve, he pointed to specific adjustments. Frankly, it’s a refreshing answer from a superstar, but shouldn’t Marmol and the Cardinals front office already be on top of this?
Despite the Cardinals' struggles at the start of the season, Nolan Arenado believes a few adjustments to their play can put them back into contention.@Ken_Rosenthal has more on this. pic.twitter.com/rdFN2yggg6
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 24, 2023
Something isn’t working in St. Louis, and a London Series win — should it occur — won’t change that.