Marmol embraces challenges, ready to open Cards Spring Training

JUPITER, Fla. -- Oliver Marmol almost assuredly won’t face any major questions in his first on-field day as manager of the Cardinals -- such as when to relieve a pitcher, when to sit down a veteran or when to pinch-hit for a slumping hitter -- but when that time comes, the 35-year-old skipper promises to be ready because he is guided by one unwavering principle.

“Honesty is a beautiful thing,” Marmol said, referring to the tact he’ll use when forced to have difficult conversations with players -- some of them even a couple of years older than him. “Players respect that. Being honest with yourself, being honest with others and allowing them to be honest with you -- those are all good things. Those conversations will come out of respect and growth, so I’m not worried about those conversations.”

Unlike most first-time managers stepping into pressure-free, rebuilding situations, Marmol takes over a Cardinals franchise that is hopeful it can recapture the momentum it found late last season and contend for what would be its 12th World Series championship. If there were any doubts about the lofty expectations for this season -- and there shouldn’t since this is Marmol’s 15th year in the St. Louis system -- Cardinals players, to a man, informed their new skipper of their high hopes when they first talked after the MLB lockout was lifted on Thursday.

“When your top guys are telling you that anything but a World Series will be a disappointment, and that the group is on the same page, that’s exciting,” said Marmol, who will be the youngest manager in MLB this season. “They’ve done their work, and from the conversations I’ve had ... they’ve told me they are ready and prepared. It’s extremely exciting to hear and we’re ready to go.”

The Cardinals open a condensed Spring Training on Monday at Roger Dean Stadium. And while it’s the beginning for Marmol, it just might be the beginning of the end for Yadier Molina. The nine-time Gold Glove-winning catcher will begin his 19th and final season behind the plate for the Cardinals, and he is hopeful that it will end in his third championship with the Redbirds.

• 'We're ready to go': Marmol impressed by Cards' winning mentality

For a brief time last season, it looked as if the Cardinals could have added some hardware to their trophy case. Looked at as a major disappointment much of the season after failing to sync its pitching with its hitting, St. Louis inexplicably strung together a historic 17-game winning streak to push its way into the playoffs.

However, following a walk-off loss to the Dodgers in the playoffs and some “philosophical differences” with then-manager Mike Shildt, Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak made the decision to change leadership and hire the affable Marmol. Mozeliak sees no reason why Marmol shouldn’t be able to coax a veteran, star-laden Cardinals roster into one that can seriously contend for a title again this season.

“Obviously, we felt like our club finally showed what it was capable of doing,” Mozeliak said, referring to the stirring winning streak that propelled the franchise into the playoffs. “Obviously, some things have changed, and we have a new manager. The excitement that will come into this camp will touch on that feeling we felt in September.”

• 'We’re back!': Mozeliak sets scene for Cards' pursuit of 12th title

Before the Cardinals can think about contending, they will have to answer a few questions that surround their roster. Pitching, as it will be for every MLB franchise, is under the spotlight in the shortened spring, as the Cardinals try to figure out ways to get three pitchers who battled injuries -- Jack Flaherty, Miles Mikolas and Dakota Hudson -- ready without overtaxing them. The same goes for 16-year veteran Adam Wainwright, who was once again the staff ace with 17 wins and a 3.05 ERA at 40 years old.

The Cardinals signed Steven Matz to be a front-line starter, and they added Aaron Brooks, Drew VerHagen and Nick Wittgren recently to fill out the bullpen. The Cards also must decide what to do with former closers Jordan Hicks and Alex Reyes, both of whom have expressed desires to be starters.

• Cardinals sign right-hander Wittgren | Cards add righty VerHagen

As for the DH, the Cardinals are pushing a plan that will utilize 2021 sensation Lars Nootbaar and Triple-A sluggers Juan Yepez and Nolan Gorman. Of course, St. Louis could also solve its DH questions with a free-agent acquisition, such as Kyle Schwarber. But the former Cubs and Red Sox slugger likely would only be a fit if he could be acquired on a short-term deal.

• Gorman hoping to make Cardinals roster any way he can

Other questions center around what the Cardinals do to boost their production from the leadoff spot and how to find more pop from the left side to balance the lineup. One thing that won’t be a question is the readiness of Marmol, who already has strong relationships with most every player on the roster and member of the front office. The skipper knows that his relatively young age will likely be a narrative going into the season, but he doesn’t think his age will define a coaching style guided by blunt honesty with those who need to hear it.

“That’s a narrative, I’m sure, but I’ve paid little attention to that at all,” Marmol said of his age. “My whole life I’ve surrounded myself with people twice my age. My closest friends are twice my age. I’ve always surrounded myself with people who have already accomplished what I’m looking to do.

“So I don’t see age at all as a deterrent to what I’m looking to do,” he added. “It’s a matter of applying the values and wisdom of those who have come before me. So if anyone is asking me, 'At 35 are you ready?' my answer would be yes.”