Despite missing the postseason for the third consecutive year, the St. Louis Cardinals have opted to keep manager Oli Marmol in place for the 2026 season. Still, the organization is expected to experience significant changes heading into the next campaign.
Joe McEwing, who most recently served as a special assistant to president John Mozeliak, has parted ways with the club, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. McEwing previously worked as the Cardinals’ bench coach in 2023.
A longtime figure in professional baseball, McEwing began his coaching career with the Chicago White Sox in 2008 following a nine-year Major League playing career. Should he choose to remain in the game, opportunities in coaching or a front-office role will likely be available to him.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals are preparing for life without Mozeliak. After 18 seasons as president of baseball operations, he has decided to step down. Taking his place will be former Boston Red Sox general manager Chaim Bloom.
What Bloom’s arrival means for the roster remains uncertain. However, trade rumors have already surrounded several of the team’s top veterans, including Sonny Gray and Nolan Arenado. With a third-straight playoff miss, St. Louis recognizes that changes are needed.
The Cardinals watched division rivals—the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, and Milwaukee Brewers—all reach the postseason this year. It will require a major turnaround for St. Louis to rejoin the playoff race. Whether that involves a full-scale rebuild remains unclear, but one thing is certain: McEwing will be observing the team’s next chapter from a distance.
Dan Fappiano is a Connecticut-based sports journalist with over five years of professional experience. A graduate of Central Connecticut State University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, he has covered a wide range of sports—from fencing to football—across both print and digital platforms.