Back in November 2025, reports surfaced that the St. Louis Cardinals had begun contract extension discussions with manager Oli Marmol, who is entering the final year of his deal in 2026.
Since then, however, nothing has materialized. That silence raises an interesting question: could the organization be positioning itself for Yadier Molina to eventually take over as manager?
Let’s break it down from a few angles.
The Molina case
One of the most iconic Cardinals of the past 25 years, Molina spent his entire 19-year career in St. Louis. A relentless competitor, he helped lead the franchise to two World Series championships and built a résumé that includes 10 All-Star appearances, nine Gold Gloves, four Platinum Gloves, and two Silver Sluggers.
Alongside Albert Pujols and Adam Wainwright, Molina defined a golden era of Cardinals baseball. That core captured championships in 2006 and 2011 and returned to the World Series again in 2013, ultimately falling to the Boston Red Sox.
Offensively, Molina finished his career as a .277 hitter with 176 home runs and 1,022 RBIs. He retired following the 2022 season and will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2028.
Molina is set to manage Team Puerto Rico in the upcoming World Baseball Classic and has already gained managerial experience in winter ball. He has made it clear that managing at the major-league level is a goal, and his recent hiring as a special assistant to Chaim Bloom gives him a chance to further learn the inner workings of the organization. If he forges a strong relationship with Bloom, it’s easy to envision that eventually leading to a managerial opportunity.
The Marmol angle
If the Cardinals opt not to extend Marmol and allow him to manage as a lame duck in 2026, it would only fuel speculation that the team is preparing for a change ahead of the 2027 season.
Even if Marmol does receive an extension, the Cardinals are expected to endure growing pains during their rebuild. A few disappointing seasons could prompt the organization to pivot, potentially opening the door for Molina to step in as the club looks to turn the page.
Why hiring Molina might be a mistake
There are two main concerns.
First, Bloom previously navigated a difficult power dynamic in Boston, where Red Sox manager Alex Cora was immensely popular. Bloom often found himself on the losing end of internal struggles. Replicating that situation in St. Louis—this time with an even more revered franchise figure—could put him in an equally untenable position.
Second, if Molina were hired and struggled, Bloom would be faced with the uncomfortable possibility of firing a future Hall of Famer and organizational legend. That’s not a scenario many executives would willingly sign up for—and understandably so.
