The St. Louis Cardinals had high expectations entering the 2025 MLB season after missing the postseason the last two years.
Unfortunately for St. Louis, they were unable to live up to those expectations as they missed the postseason once again after finishing with a 78-84 record, which placed them fourth in the National League Central division.
Advertisement
With the Cardinals missing the postseason for the third consecutive season, they are set to have a busy offseason as they try to turn the legendary franchise into a World Series contender once again.
Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar (21) and shortstop Masyn Winn (0)Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Of course, St. Louis will lose John Mozeliak, who retired on Monday after spending 30 seasons with the franchise with him being in charge of the club’s baseball operations department over the last 18 seasons.
With Mozeliak now gone and Chaim Bloom taking his place, Cardinals fans are hopeful that they will make moves this offseason to return to being a contender next season.
Advertisement
St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations John MozeliakJeff Curry-Imagn Images
Fans were also wondering what would happen to manager Oli Marmol this offseason with many teams already moving on from their managers.
Oli Marmol to Return as Cardinals’ Manager in 2026
They got their answer on Tuesday as The Athletics’ Katie Woo reported that Marmol will return as the Cardinals manager next season.
For Marmol, he took over as the Cardinals’ manager in 2022 after they fired Mike Shildt and after winning 93 games in his first season and making the postseason, St. Louis has struggled since.
Advertisement
Since the start of the 2023 season, St. Louis has won more than 80 games just once, which came in 2024 when they finished with an 83-79 record.
St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol (37)© Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
With the franchise’s struggles over the past three seasons, fans have called for St. Louis to make changes and have even called for them to move on from Marmol.
Instead, the Cardinals have stuck it out with the 39-year-old manager and he will remain with the club next season as they try to turn things around after another disappointing season.
Advertisement
Despite this, Marmol could once again be on the hot seat again next season if St. Louis is unable to turn things around, especially with them possibly shopping some key players this offseason like Nolan Arenado.
St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28)© Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Either way, Marmol will enter next season as the Cardinals’ manager as the franchise tries to return to being a contender after three consecutive disappointing seasons.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Sep 30, 2025, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.