Cards manager Marmol gets two-year extension
Coming off a last-place finish in the NL Central, the St. Louis Cardinals displayed confidence in manager Oliver Marmol and announced a two-year contract extension through 2026.
“The most important thing for Oli, the coaches or players is to know that we stand behind them,” Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak said Friday. “We believe in that, and to go into the season — what's the phrase: the lame duck manager? — just seemed to be like the wrong strategy.”
The 37-year-old former Cardinals minor leaguer led the team to an NL Central title in his first season, winning 93 games in 2022 and becoming the youngest manager to reach the playoffs since a 31-year-old Lou Boudreau took Cleveland to the World Series in 1946. St. Louis went 71-91 last year.
Oliver Marmol managed St. Louis to the NL Central title in 2022but the Cards were 71-91last season.
“We believe that he's the right person for this job,” Mozeliak said. “And we're excited to know who will be here for the for the next few years. So it was important to us to get this done. We're glad it's behind us and we look forward to the future.” YANKEES HOLD OFF DISCUSSING COLE'S STATUS » New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone held off discussing the condition of ace Gerrit Cole's elbow, saying he and general manager Brian Cashman want to speak with the AL Cy Young Award winner before making any public comments.
The Yankees disclosed Monday that Cole was experiencing issues in bouncing back following spring training starts, and the 33-yearold right-hander traveled to Los Angeles to be examined by Dodgers team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache, an elbow expert. Cole was traveling back to Tampa on Friday.
Boone did say Friday that Nestor Cortes will start the March 28 opener at Houston.
“It's just a minor setback for him,” Cortes said of Cole.
Cole is entering the fifth season of a $324 million, nine-year contract that pays $36 million annually. He has the right to opt out after the season and become a free agent, but if he opts out the Yankees
can void the opt-out by adding a guaranteed $36 million salary for 2029.
BLUE JAYS CATCHER JANSEN COULD MISS OPENING DAY » Toronto Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen has a fractured bone in his right wrist and could miss opening day, manager John Schneider said.
Jansen sustained the injury to the pisiform bone when he was hit by a 93.4 mph fastball from Pittsburgh's Carmen Mlodzinski during the eighth inning of Wednesday's spring training game.
“It's a small bone between the hand and wrist,” Schneider said.
Schneider said Jansen is unlikely for the March 28 opener at Tampa Bay.
Alejandro Kirk is likely to get a bulk of the time at catcher while Jansen is out.
The 28-year-old Jansen hit .228 with 17 homers and 53 RBIs in 83 games last season. He was sidelined between May 24 and June 13 by a strained left groin, and his season ended with a broken right middle finger sustained Sept. 1 when hit by a foul ball during a game against Colorado.
Jansen agreed to a $5.2 million, one-year contract that avoided arbitration. He is eligible for free agency after this year's World Series.
PIRATES, OUTFIELDER TAYLOR AGREE TO $4MILLION DEAL » The Pittsburgh Pirates are bringing in veteran outfielder Michael A. Taylor on a one-year deal worth $4 million.
A person with knowledge of the agreement confirmed the move to The Associated Press on Friday on condition of anonymity because it is pending a physical.
Taylor, who turns 33 this month, joins a team that is looking for help in right field as the season approaches. He hit .220 with 21 home runs and 53 RBIs last season while playing in Minnesota.
Pittsburgh is Taylor's fourth stop in the majors.