After a more than disappointing 2023 campaign, probably the most disappointing in 30 years as evidenced by their record of 71 wins against 91 losses, the St. Louis Cardinals must turn things around during the next season, and quickly.
As mentioned yesterday (Monday), one of the important cogs in the Missouri roster, Nolan Arenado, wants to take charge.
However, he should not be the only one rowing in the right direction, including manager Oliver Marmol, who has everything to prove.
And as he enters his last year of contract as manager of the Cards, the main person knows that the pressure will be high to perform up to expectations, from the start of the campaign.
Last year was a difficult year. It tested my character. It really is. The reality was that I needed to be better. Last year wasn't good enough. And our staff needs to be better. But it starts with me.
It can be said that none skipper no one is facing more pressure than Marmol right now within the MLB. The latter, however, uses it as motivation, wanting to reestablish the high standards that the Cardinals have maintained during his nearly 20 years with the organization.
My contract is not a motivating factor for me. For 18 years, I woke up and wanted to make the St. Louis Cardinals better. It's no different.
Moreover, without a contractual guarantee after this year, Marmol's future did not dissuade him from calling on candidates who could replace him if the 2024 season were to end. In fact, the opposite happened.
I wanted to hire someone who can replace me. You want to surround yourself with people who can challenge you. I constantly consider the position of bench coach as a position where you must have the qualities to be a manager.
Let's hope for him that this will not be the scenario that emerges on the horizon. Marmol has no room for maneuver.
