Cardinals Evaluate Manager Oli Marmol Amid 2025 Struggles

The St. Louis Cardinals have endured a challenging 2025 season marked by a significant decline in performance, with the team holding a losing record and fading playoff hopes. Starting pitcher Andre Pallante, who transitioned to a full-time starter role in 2025, has struggled with an 8.27 ERA in his last nine starts, prompting manager Oli Marmol to consider rotation changes while remaining committed to Pallante's development. The team has also been hampered by injuries to key players like All-Star second baseman Brendan Donovan, whose ongoing soreness has limited his playing time and contributed to the Cardinals falling out of wild card contention. Looking ahead to 2026, the Cardinals are entering a rebuild under new president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom, but insiders, including Katie Woo, speculate that Marmol is likely to remain as manager for the upcoming season, given his experience with player development and the team's expected non-competitive status. Despite fan frustration and calls for changes, the organization appears poised to focus on long-term growth and evaluate Marmol's future after the 2026 season. Overall, the Cardinals face a transitional period aiming to develop young talent and return to contention in the coming years.