Cardinals Miss Out on Another Potential Oli Marmol Replacement During MLB Draft
Even though the St. Louis Cardinals have performed surprisingly well this season and find themselves in the NL Wild Card race at the All-Star break, discussions about manager Oli Marmol’s future haven’t died down. After a rocky 2024 campaign that had fans calling for his dismissal, Marmol now finds himself in contention for NL Manager of the Year—a turnaround few expected. As things stand, he isn’t going anywhere.
Still, speculation continues. Cardinals fans are always eager to see beloved former players return in leadership roles. Unlike franchise icons Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina—who’ve both received praise for their managerial stints in the World Baseball Classic and Mexican Winter League—Marmol doesn’t carry the same level of fan adoration.
Among the legends, Albert Pujols stands out as the most realistic future replacement for Marmol. He’s publicly expressed a desire to manage in the big leagues, saying, “It’s about helping others, and having that passion… If the opportunity comes, why not?”
Former players like Skip Schumaker and Yadier Molina are also active in coaching circles. Schumaker had success managing the Marlins and is now with the White Sox. On Sunday night, yet another Cardinals alum emerged as a coaching candidate: Matt Holliday.
Matt Holliday’s Potential Shift Toward Coaching with the Rockies
Holliday’s son Ethan was drafted fourth overall by the Colorado Rockies, prompting speculation about Matt’s potential involvement with the organization. When asked, he responded that he’d be open to any role they offered, whether prominent or behind the scenes.
Given the Rockies’ organizational struggles and their willingness to experiment—highlighted by the recent firing of manager Bud Black—there’s a real possibility Holliday could take on a bigger role. If Ethan lives up to his pedigree, Matt’s influence could quickly grow.
However, this likely closes the door on Holliday ever taking over in St. Louis. If he enters coaching, it’s expected he’ll do so with the Rockies, not the Cardinals.
Leave a Reply