Major League Baseball’s coaching carousel is already in full swing. Managing positions in baseball are coming up, and many are filling quickly. Skip Schumaker is transitioning from front office to manager for the Texas Rangers, while Albert Pujols is thought to be a major contender for the Los Angeles Angels’ managerial post.
Despite all of these managerial positions, Oliver Marmol will stay as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals. This disappoints supporters, who have grown tired of a “rinse-and-repeat” mentality that has resulted in three consecutive seasons without a postseason spot. Marmol has a 325-323 record as a manager and has only made one postseason appearance.
Fans have been calling for changes at the top with the appointment of Chaim Bloom as President of Baseball Operations, but Bloom will not be replacing Marmol, at least not right now. Bloom said that the majority of Marmol’s workforce will remain in place. That won’t prevent him from extending Marmol’s coaching team, and we might see the first member of the extended coaching group very soon.
Yadier Molina is in talks to rejoin the St. Louis Cardinals as a coach for the 2026 season
Molina made two guest appearances with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2025, once in a three-game weekend series against the Chicago Cubs and again later in the year against the San Francisco Giants. He distributed lineup cards, gave advice and recommendations to the club’s catchers, and added some excitement to the dugout and stadium. However, he made it obvious that the club was still owned by Oli Marmol.
According to sources, Molina is now in discussions to become the Cardinals’ full-time coach for the 2026 season.
According to El Vocero, a Puerto Rican tabloid, Molina might return to the squad next season as a part of Marmol’s coaching staff. “We’re now in communication with St. Louis about coaching the Cardinals and assisting Mármol. He’s still the manager, but I’d be right by his side. Nothing is set in stone yet, but we’re working on it,” Molina told EL VOCERO, declining to reveal the specific role he will play.
Molina aspires to be a manager in Major League Baseball one day, but he wants to begin his coaching career as an auxiliary with his old team. He has already gained valuable coaching experience in numerous winter leagues and the World Baseball Classic, which he will return to in 2026 for Puerto Rico.
While Molina’s particular position is unknown, the nine-time Gold Glove catcher will undoubtedly find work. Bench coach Daniel Descalso may be hired to manage another team, possibly his native San Francisco Giants. Molina could fill that job and get management experience with the Cardinals. Molina might potentially serve as an area coach for catchers or pitchers. Regardless, his presence on the bench will assist the team’s whole roster, including the coaches.
In a recent interview with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Derrick Goold theorized that Molina would take on a coaching role before managing his own team. That looks to be coming true with his sole professional team.
Molina’s return to the dugout with the Cardinals has yet to be announced, but all indicators point to the 10-time All-Star joining Oliver Marmol’s coaching staff. Could this be a test run for Molina’s future management position? We will have to wait and see.