The St. Louis Cardinals are heading into a pivotal offseason, one that signals the start of a new chapter under recently appointed President of Baseball Operations, Chaim Bloom.
After years of consistency under John Mozeliak, the front office is shifting gears-but not everything is changing. While the top of the baseball operations ladder gets a fresh face, much of the on-field coaching staff will remain intact heading into 2026.
Still, there are a couple of notable changes. Assistant pitching coach Dean Kiekhefer and game-planning coach Packy Elkins are transitioning into strategist roles, creating two vacancies on manager Oli Marmol’s staff. Those spots are now open for new voices-an opportunity for Bloom to begin shaping the dugout in his image.
But for fans holding out hope that Yadier Molina might be one of those additions, there’s some disappointment. Despite his interest in returning to Major League Baseball in a coaching capacity, Molina will not be joining the Cardinals’ coaching staff for the upcoming season.
That said, the door isn’t closed. The organization remains open to finding a role for the franchise icon elsewhere within the club.
And make no mistake-Molina’s absence from the coaching staff doesn’t mean he’s out of the picture. His connection to the team runs deep.
From 2004 to 2022, Molina wasn’t just the face of the Cardinals-he was the heartbeat of the clubhouse. A two-time World Series champion, nine-time Gold Glove winner, and one of the most respected defensive catchers the game has ever seen, Molina’s leadership and ability to manage a pitching staff were second to none.
Bringing him back in any capacity-whether as a special assistant, spring training instructor, or behind-the-scenes advisor-would be a major cultural win for the Cardinals. Especially as Bloom looks to retool the roster and set the tone for a new era, having someone like Molina around to help guide younger players could prove invaluable.
For now, though, the search is on to fill those two coaching vacancies. With Kiekhefer and Elkins shifting into more strategic roles, there’s room for fresh ideas and new energy on the staff. It’s an early test for Bloom as he begins to put his stamp on the franchise-not just in player personnel, but in the dugout as well.
While Molina won’t be wearing a uniform in an official coaching role next season, his presence still looms large. Whether it’s in the clubhouse, on the back fields in Jupiter, or simply around the organization, Yadi remains a part of the Cardinals’ fabric. And for a team looking to blend its storied past with a new direction, that kind of continuity could be just as important as any offseason acquisition.
