St. Louis — When Chaim Bloom officially took the reins of Cardinals Baseball Operations, many expected a complete rebuild. But just weeks later, Bloom has sparked a new line of controversy — his intention to extend manager Oli Marmol’s contract, despite a below-expected 2025 season. The move is angering many Cardinals fans — some calling it a “misstep at the start of a new era.”
According to a report from the team’s in-depth news site, the Cardinals are considering extending Marmol — who led the team for four years, amassing a total of 325‑323. The Cardinals missed the postseason again last season, and their poor performance has led many to believe it’s time for a change in coaching staff.
But for Bloom — who recently accepted a five-year contract as President of Baseball Operations — “stability” appears to be the immediate priority. He said that while the organization needs a thorough overhaul, retaining Marmol and a large portion of the current staff will provide “necessary continuity” for the rebuild.
For many fans, the decision was the “last straw.” Many expressed disappointment, believing Bloom missed the opportunity to end the old dynasty — and end the Cardinals’ long losing streak. One reason for the frustration is that after four years with Marmol, the team has yet to win a playoff game.
Additionally, with the organization entering a rebuilding process — eliminating heavy contracts, prioritizing young talent, and improving the farm system — fans expected Bloom to bring in a new coach who fits the “build from the ground up” philosophy. Retaining Marmol was seen as a step back for many.
From Bloom’s perspective, however, this is his way of balancing innovation and stability — avoiding a rebuilding season that turns into “chaos.” He believes that changes in player development, training systems, recruiting, and operations — not “constant coaching shakeups” — are the key to returning the Cardinals to their former glory.
With a long-term contract, Bloom has time to prove his approach works. He has emphasized his plan to invest heavily in youth development, innovate scouting, training, and gradually build a sustainable structure — rather than pursuing short-term, expensive, and ineffective contracts.
But extending Marmol — so soon after a disappointing season — could shake the faith of fans. If the next season continues to be a down year, Bloom’s every decision will be questioned — turning the “new era” into a major test, with the fate of the organization hanging in the balance.
In that context, every move — from giving young stars a chance, trading, signing contracts, to choosing a coach — is now closely watched by fans and experts. Bloom is betting his future partly on the current personnel. Is this a wise trade for a stable foundation, or a mistake that will cause the Cardinals to sink another season?
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