Oli Marmol is Putting on a Brave Face about the Cardinals Rebuilding, but not likely here for the Long Haul
Well, folks—buckle up. The winds of change are howling through Busch Stadium, and if you’re a St. Louis Cardinals fan wondering why the bullpen looks a little… emptier these days, it’s not your imagination. The Redbirds officially signaled a shift in direction at the 2025 MLB Trade Deadline, sending off Ryan Helsley, Phil Maton, and Steven Matz in deals that scream one word: rebuild. And Oli Marmol is staying positive despite the fact that his days are very likely, very numbered. Managers of teams that have to rebuild rarely see the rebuild to fruition, add in that there will be a new front office and there isn’t much hope for Marmol staying for the long haul.
A rebuild will be long and tough
Now, I know what you’re thinking—rebuilds are rough. They’re gut-wrenching. They’re zero fun, as John Denton of MLB.com puts it. And good for manager Oli Marmol not ducking or dodging the reality of the moment, and likely keeping a brave face to present to his next employer. He’s leaning into it, eyes wide open, with a message that fans might not love in the short term, but could learn to appreciate over the next couple seasons.
“We knew we were going to have to make some tough decisions to set this thing up for the future,” Marmol said. “We’re building toward that, and we’re making tough decisions that will allow us (to win again) quicker.”
Let’s talk about those decisions. Helsley—gone. But in return from the Mets? A real package: infielder Jesus Baez (ranked No. 8 in their system), right-handers Nate Dohm and Frank Elissalt. These are names you’re going to want to remember. Then there’s Blaze Jordan—acquired in the Steven Matz trade with Boston. A Mississippi masher with serious pop and a high-contact profile. Yes, he might be the sleeper prize of this whole thing.
2025 is Shaping Up to be Mediocre at Best
Of course, it stings. Letting go of Helsley, Maton, and Matz wasn’t just about expiring contracts—it was about sending a message. That 2025? It’s not the year. That might be hard for the clubhouse to hear, especially after grinding through a turbulent first half. But Marmol is owning it.
“What makes it fathomable,” he told Denton, “is incremental progress and the promise that brighter days are ahead.”
And that’s the thread here, isn’t it? Hope. You’ve got JJ Wetherholt showing flashes. You’ve got Arenado, now on the injured list, clearing the way for more playing time and auditions across the diamond. And you’ve got the front office finally making moves that align with a longer-term plan.
So yeah, the next 18 months are going to be tough. But you can’t start the next chapter until you turn the page. And the Cardinals just did—loud and clear.
