The St. Louis Cardinals have severed ties with hitting coach Turner Ward after an underwhelming offensive performance throughout the season. Despite moderate figures in both batting average (.248) and OPS (.704), the team’s ability to generate runs was consistently an issue, with their 672 total ranking as the fourth-lowest in the National League. This lackluster output contributed to a disappointing minus-74 run differential.
The Cardinals’ power at the plate also left much to be desired, as they managed to belt only 165 home runs—another mark that positioned them among the league’s bottom four. Additionally, their struggles with runners in scoring position were glaring, with the team posting a dismal .229 average and .645 OPS, the worst in the National League and among the lowest in Major League Baseball as a whole.
Longtime stalwarts Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado also endured subpar campaigns by their standards, with both posting career-low numbers. Goldschmidt, hitting just .245 with a .716 OPS, and Arenado, mustering only 16 home runs and a .719 OPS, both saw steep declines in production. With Goldschmidt’s contract expiring, reports suggest the Cardinals will not be pursuing a renewal, further signaling a potential overhaul for the club moving forward.
Despite the Cardinals’ offensive woes and a negative run differential, they concluded the season with an 83-79 record, a figure good enough to tie for second in the NL Central, albeit 10 games behind division winners, the Milwaukee Brewers.
Ward had held his position as hitting coach since 2023, following a year-long stint as the assistant batting coach. His previous tenure includes roles as hitting coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Cincinnati Reds, totaling six seasons before joining the Cardinals’ staff.
Manager Oliver Marmol, who will continue at the helm through 2025, acknowledged the team’s deficiencies with runners in scoring position. While such struggles are unpredictable year-to-year, Marmol stressed the need for a fresh approach in critical batting scenarios. “It’s not something you can predict from one season to the next, but it’s clear we need to focus on why we weren’t better in those spots,” Marmol said, emphasizing the importance of addressing this issue moving forward.
As the Cardinals prepare for the upcoming seasons, some coaching staff members will remain in place. Assistant hitting coach Brandon Allen, game-planning coach Packy Elkins, and first-base coach Stubby Clapp are all expected to return. However, major changes are on the horizon in the front office, with John Mozeliak stepping down from his role as president of baseball operations after the 2025 season. Former Boston Red Sox executive Chaim Bloom is slated to succeed him.
