The St. Louis Cardinals are performing better than expected in 2025 under fourth-year manager Oli Marmol, currently holding a 36-31 record and sitting second in the NL Central despite a recent three-game skid. Given the team’s success, one might assume Marmol is well-regarded across the league. However, that doesn’t appear to be the case. According to a player poll conducted by The Athletic (subscription required) and reported by Dennis Lin, Marmol tied for the top spot among managers that players—excluding their own—would least want to play for, receiving five votes out of 40.
Marmol appears to be viewed in a negative light around the league.
Oli Marmol found himself in troubling company in The Athletic’s poll, tying with recently fired Rockies manager Bud Black as the skipper players least want to play for. Black was dismissed after a disastrous 7-33 start to the season, making his inclusion understandable. More surprising was the appearance of former Cardinals manager Mike Shildt, now leading the Padres, who tied for second with four votes.
Despite the promise of anonymity, players were cautious in offering criticism of other managers. The only quote The Athletic shared about Marmol came from a division rival and wasn’t overtly negative. Still, the fact that Marmol ranked so highly is concerning — especially considering that players often communicate across teams. If any Cardinals are unhappy under Marmol, those sentiments could spread and deter potential free agents from choosing St. Louis.
“I don’t really know many managers. I’m trying to think of someone in our division, just so I can say someone. Who is the Cardinals’ guy? … Yeah. Just put him down.”
Some of the negative perception may stem from the Cardinals’ rough 2023 season, which included public controversies like the handling of Willson Contreras and Marmol’s pointed criticism of Tyler O’Neill’s hustle — moments that didn’t go unnoticed by players and media alike.
Although Marmol signed a two-year extension ahead of the 2024 season, keeping him under contract through 2026, his future may hinge on incoming president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom, who could choose to bring in his own manager. While it’s unlikely that the results of an anonymous player poll will be a deciding factor, a change could aid the Cardinals in reshaping their image and improving their appeal to prospective players.
Even if Marmol has made mostly sound in-game decisions this season, how he’s viewed across the league could have longer-term implications for the Cardinals — and that perception shouldn’t be ignored.
