St. Louis Cardinals: Three managers to replace Mike Matheny

The St. Louis Cardinals have a great internal option who has been with the team for several years but has also been absent for the past two, very rough seasons.

“The Secret Weapon” as he was known in his playing days, Jose Oquendo has been long missed by the St. Louis Cardinals since his health and surgery needs removed him as the third base coach two seasons ago. We have written much here about the absence of Oquendo (check it out here).

Now, I for one (with millions of others) have honked for several years for Oquendo to be the next manager of the St. Louis Cardinals. I wanted him to be the manager when Matheny was being considered and this hope still exists today.

To his credit, Oquendo has plenty of managerial experience having managed outside of the US for many years. In addition, Oquendo is LOVED by all players for his smarts and his abilities to communicate with each player individually in ways that make them all better.

Simply put, this man is a natural fit for the St. Louis Cardinals with his brains, his heart, and his Cardinals history.

Gordon, in his St. Louis Post-Dispatch article even mentioned Oquendo.

"Exiled coach Jose Oquendo? He wasn’t part of this coaching shift, but Mozeliak left the door ajar for his return should more significant change occur — like, say, Matheny getting fired."

Oquendo, for those who aren’t aware, has stayed in Jupiter, FL since having surgery and is there coaching the younger guys in the Cardinals system. He has great worth in that role but could be better used as the Cardinals manager in my opinion.

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At this point, Oquendo says he wants to stay in Jupiter which is where he lives. I think much of this has to do with Matheny’s need for yes-men and Oquendo’s reluctance to be one of these. There is no evidence of this but it feels that these two men just don’t see eye to eye.

So, here’s the deal, Mozeliak. The time has come to send Matheny packing and these three names- one external and two internal- are better options period. These three names need their phones ringing now so that you are ready to pull the trigger in “four to six weeks.”

Next: One win is great but isn't enough

Also, just so you know, you don’t have to wait four to six weeks to please the members of Cardinals Nation. That said, I worry that Matheny is here to stay.