Bill DeWitt Jr. Hints at Uncertainty Over Future Extension for Cardinals Manager Oli Marmol
St. Louis, MO — November 12, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. has hinted that the organization may reconsider extending manager Oli Marmol’s contract beyond its current term, which runs through the 2026 season.
In a recent interview with local media, DeWitt expressed both respect and caution regarding Marmol’s future with the club. While acknowledging Marmol’s leadership and dedication, DeWitt suggested that the franchise will evaluate performance and team direction before making a final decision on any further contract extensions.
“We appreciate Oli’s commitment and the work he’s done under challenging circumstances,” DeWitt said. “But as with all leadership roles, we’ll review where we stand after next season. Our goal is to ensure the Cardinals are moving in the right direction — competitively and culturally.”
Marmol, who became the youngest manager in MLB when hired in 2021, helped guide the team to a National League Central title in 2022, but the following years have been marked by inconsistency and underperformance. Despite flashes of promise, the Cardinals have fallen short of postseason expectations, leading to growing scrutiny from fans and analysts.
Still, DeWitt stopped short of expressing dissatisfaction, instead framing the situation as a standard review process for a franchise with a tradition of accountability and success.
“Oli has handled the clubhouse well and earned respect from players,” DeWitt added. “We just want to see improvement on the field — that’s what this organization is about.”
Marmol’s current contract extension, signed in April 2024, keeps him in St. Louis through the 2026 season. Whether he receives another deal after that could depend on how the Cardinals perform in 2025, particularly in areas such as pitching depth, consistency at the plate, and overall postseason competitiveness.
If no new extension is offered, Marmol would enter 2026 as a lame-duck manager, a rare scenario for a team known for long-term stability in leadership.
For now, the Cardinals’ front office is expected to monitor progress closely as they aim to restore the club’s championship ambitions heading into the 2026 campaign.
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