Cardinals give manager contract extension

Still just 37 years old, Marmols has managed to a 164-160 record since taking the reins following the team’s surprising dismissal of former skipper Mike Shildt. That includes a 93-69, division-winning performance in his debut managerial campaign, as well as a 71-91, last-place finish in 2023.

Marmol has spent his entire baseball career in the Cardinals organization. The Cards selected him with a sixth-round pick back in 2007, but Marmol’s minor league career lasted only four seasons before he moved into a coaching role within the system. He rose through the minor league ranks, coaching and managing at multiple stops, before being added to the Cardinals’ big league coaching staff as their first base coach for the 2017 campaign. Marmol held that job for two seasons before becoming Shildt’s bench coach for the next three years.

Marmol has, at times, drawn criticism for his handling of players. He and since-traded outfielder Tyler O’Neill clashed early last season when Marmol publicly called out O’Neill for not hustling home from third base. O’Neill took exception both to the substance of the comment as well as the public nature of the quip, suggesting that any conversation on the matter “could have been had in-house” and that the situation “should have been handled a little differently in my opinion.” Marmol also publicly stated early in the season that Willson Contreras would be removed from the starting catcher’s role — a decision that was reversed just a week later. O’Neill said in an appearance on Foul Territory earlier this year that he and Marmol grew to respect one another “at an arm’s length” and that his time with the club ended “on good terms” (video link).

Cardinals brass clearly doesn’t view last year’s disappointing results or the public spat with O’Neill as a reflection of Marmol’s ability (or lack thereof) to steer the team in the long term. He’ll now be locked up through the 2026 campaign, not only offering the team some stability but avoiding the lame-duck status that would have him routinely fielding questions and speculation about his job security throughout the upcoming season.