Oliver Marmol, 37, is entering his third year as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Cardinals have long been a winning organization, consistently contending for the top spot in the National League Central Division.

In Marmol’s first two years, the Cardinals have had mixed results.

Marmol’s Cardinals team won the National League Central in 2022. The team finished 93-69, seven games better than the second place Milwaukee Brewers.

However, in that postseason, the Cardinals were swept out of the Wild Card round in the National League Playoffs, in two games by the Philadelphia Phillies.

Last season, the Cardinals finished last in the division, They were 21 games behind the division champion Brewers.

It is the experience of this old scout that front office declarations regarding the status of a manager with an expiring contact should be taken with caution.

A manager working without an extension is likely to face constant pressure to perform. To win. He is likely to have his personal contract status front and center in his game management. In short, he feels the need to win, and win now.

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