The end of the 2023 season is near. By the end of the day on Sunday, only 12 teams will remain, with the other 18 ballclubs packing it in for the winter and preparing for 2024.
Much to the dismay of their fans, the St. Louis Cardinals will be one of those teams, having already officially been eliminated from postseason contention. They hadn't missed the postseason since 2018, but are now set to have their worst finish since 1990.
That was the last time they finished in last place, and they did so with a 70-92 record in the NL East. This means that the upcoming offseason will be huge for St. Louis.
It's no secret that they need to add pitching in order to avoid a repeat performance of this year. Pitching is what failed them from the onset of the season. It wasn't addressed last offseason, and the Cardinals paid the price.
As such, they find themselves in this position. President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak has already said that he plans to acquire three starters from outside the organization. That could come via trade or free agency.
This also means that the 2024 season could be a make-or-break year for the Cardinals, as if they do not return to contention, the future may look bleak. Adding pitching could help them improve for the future.
But there are several key members of the team that will be under the microscope next season if things go wrong.
MLB Rumors: 4 Cardinals who may not survive a disappointing 2024 season
4. Tyler O'Neill
Tyler O'Neill has been with the Cardinals for quite some time. He made his Major League debut back in 2018. It took him a while to find his footing, but he had an MVP-caliber season in 2021 and emerged as the team's starting left fielder.
However, he took a step back in 2022, a year in which he went on the injured list three times. The Cardinals gave him another chance for 2023, but he has not delivered. He missed two months with a back injury and is back on the injured list.
Meanwhile, he hit just .231 with nine home runs, 21 RBI, and a .715 OPS. The Cardinals even attempted to make him the starting center fielder this year. It didn't work out.
If he is to return in 2024, he may very well be on his last chance. He has been unable to hit consistently and also hasn't been able to stay healthy for a full season. This means that he may not be back in 2025 if he struggles again in 2024.
The Cardinals already have a logjam of outfielders and not enough places to put them. O'Neill could find himself blocked by players such as Jordan Walker, Lars Nootbaar, and even Tommy Edman, who grew accustomed to center field this year.
O'Neill provides great defense and has won two Gold Gloves, but 2024 will be a big year for him if the Cardinals decide to hang onto him.
3. Dylan Carlson
Dylan Carlson is another outfielder who may be down to his final strike. Like O'Neill, Carlson has shown moments of brilliance and provides elite defense in the outfield. He even has a little bit of power and speed.
However, he too, has struggled to hit on a consistent basis. He also has struggled to stay healthy.
Carlson battled through a wrist issue last season after a solid 2021 campaign. This year wasn't much different. He is out for the season as he recovers from ankle surgery, and is on the IL for the second time this season.
His numbers have been quite underwhelming as well. He hit only .219 and hit just five home runs while driving in 27 runs, stealing three bases, and posting a disappointing OPS mark of .651.
Carlson made his Major League debut in the COVID-shortened 2020 season and was even a Rookie of the Year candidate in 2021. But since then, he hasn't been himself, and like O'Neill, he'll have to prove himself in order to be a part of the team's plans for the future. His hitting and health are the two major question marks for the speedy outfielder entering 2024.
If he can return to his 2021 form, then the Cardinals will be in a favorable position if they assess their outfield and what it may look like going forward. He still will need to prove his worth, however.
2. Oli Marmol
Manager Oli Marmol has undergone plenty of scrutiny this season. It began early in the season when he publicly called out Tyler O'Neill for a supposed lack of hustle. He also made plenty of questionable comments when the Cardinals shockingly removed Willson Contreras from the starting catcher role.
Marmol also has also struggled in terms of putting together winning lineups. Over the course of this season, the young Cardinals skipper has sat several of his stars in the final games of road series, instead opting to start players such as Taylor Motter and Alec Burleson, both of whom have not been terribly productive this year.
As such, the Cardinals have lost several series, as their stars were nowhere to be found in the lineup on certain days. Twice this season, he used Motter in key situations. In April, the Cardinals had the bases loaded with nobody out, and Marmol opted to pinch-hit Motter for Brendan Donovan. Motter proceeded to strike out.
In August, Marmol had Nolan Arenado on the bench with the team down 5-3 in the bottom of the ninth inning. Motter was at the plate and represented the tying run, but struck out.
Fans have been vocal about their discontent with Marmol and his construction of lineups, as well as his use of players such as Motter and Burleson. Because of the way this season went, and all the controversy surrounding the Cardinals, 2024 will be a very big year for Marmol.
1. John Mozeliak
The man in charge of the team, President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak, had the opportunity to fill several gaping holes in the pitching staff this past offseason. However, no pitchers were signed.
The Cards went with a rotation of Miles Mikolas, Jack Flaherty, Jordan Montgomery, Adam Wainwright, and Steven Matz. Montgomery and Flaherty were traded while Mikolas and Wainwright have struggled. Matz is also out for the season with a lat strain.
At the trade deadline, his patience finally seemed to run out, as he confirmed what the Cardinals needed to do to win in 2024.
As previously mentioned, the pitching failed the Cardinals this season, and Mozeliak will have to add some pitching this winter if he plans on getting the Cards back into contention in 2024. And if things go wrong, Mozeliak could be relieved of his duties before the end of the 2024 season.
He is signed through 2025, but like Carlson, Marmol, and O'Neill, he needs to prove his worth. Mozeliak has to be bold and add some top-level pitching, or 2024 will be a repeat of 2023.