Headlines

  • Hayden Wesneski To Undergo Tommy John Surgery
  • Dodgers Release Chris Taylor
  • Jose Alvarado Issued 80-Game PED Suspension
  • Orioles Fire Manager Brandon Hyde
  • Ben Joyce Undergoes Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery
  • Dodgers Promote Dalton Rushing, Designate Austin Barnes For Assignment
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2025
    • Free Agent Contest Leaderboard
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Cardinals Name Daniel Descalso Bench Coach

By Steve Adams | November 20, 2023 at 1:55pm CDT

The Cardinals announced Monday that they’ve hired former infielder Daniel Descalso as their new bench coach. Last year’s bench coach Joe McEwing will join the Cardinals’ front office as a special assistant to president of baseball operations John Mozeliak. The Cardinals still expect to make further additions to the coaching staff this winter, the team noted.

Descalso, 37, spent five years in a Cardinals uniform from 2010-14 and appeared in parts of 10 MLB seasons between St. Louis, Colorado, Arizona and Chicago (Cubs). He spent the 2023 season as a special assistant in the Diamondbacks’ baseball operations department. This will be his first professional coaching assignment.

It’s the third time in the past two offseasons the Cardinals have effectively installed one of their former players as manager Oli Marmol’s bench coach. The Cards briefly hired Matt Holliday in that role last November, but Holliday had a change of heart just months after being appointed to the post, citing a desire to spend more time with his family as the primary reason for his resignation. Holliday spent eight years playing for the Cards, of course. McEwing, meanwhile, played for the Cardinals in both 1998 and 1999. As with Descalso, Holliday was slated to be a first-time coach with the Cardinals. McEwing had spent more than a decade on the White Sox’ coaching staff.

In 1079 Major League games, Descalso tallied just shy of 2900 plate appearances and posted a .235/.320/.362 batting line. He played every position on the diamond other than catcher and center field, with the bulk of his time coming at second base, third base and shortstop (in that order).

Share 0 Retweet 0 Send via email0

Arizona Diamondbacks St. Louis Cardinals Daniel Descalso Joe McEwing

Marlins Exploring Market For Catching Upgrades
Main
Spencer Turnbull Awarded Full Year Of Service For 2023
View Comments (58)
Post a Comment

58 Comments

  1. CardsFan57

    1 year ago

    So disappointed they didn’t hire Molina.

    2
    Reply
    • aochaz14

      1 year ago

      Hopefully they are saving manager for him. Push that clown marmol out the door

      10
      Reply
    • Subatomicbunt

      1 year ago

      Molina will never be a bench coach. Straight to skipper.

      7
      Reply
      • BaseballGuy1

        1 year ago

        Not in STL.

        Reply
    • barkinghumans77

      1 year ago

      Was reported today that this does not prevent them from hiring Molina. They’re still negotiating a role

      5
      Reply
      • Subatomicbunt

        1 year ago

        Huh???

        Reply
        • asdfgh

          1 year ago

          It says if you can READ that they plan to hire more. Yadier is in the running and maybe coming up with a role for him it could be in the dugout or as an advisor but Yadier has said he wants in.

          Reply
        • Subatomicbunt

          1 year ago

          Still doesn’t make sense. Thank you for helping me though. You are a nice man.

          4
          Reply
        • asdfgh

          1 year ago

          Reading hurts you lol. Sorry you got hurt from the truth. Next time read to comprehend and than comment.

          Reply
        • Subatomicbunt

          1 year ago

          asdfgh, I really appreciate this advice.

          3
          Reply
        • Gary R

          1 year ago

          Oh great , hire a joker who did not run out balls, could NOT throw out FAST runners, and left the team to watch basketball games. What a joke

          Reply
      • baseballpun

        1 year ago

        Pitching coach?

        2
        Reply
    • Gumby82

      1 year ago

      I have to imagine that if Molina wanted the job, it’d be his job

      1
      Reply
      • Subatomicbunt

        1 year ago

        100% Gumby

        Reply
      • moneedstogo

        1 year ago

        Not if he wants to get paid league average

        Reply
    • lesterdnightfly

      1 year ago

      Molina is too busy running his post-retirement empire in Puerto Rico.
      He couldn’t even play out his “farewell tour” without tons of time away from the team. Wouldn’t count on him making himself available full-time.

      2
      Reply
    • Deadguy

      1 year ago

      Does this mean “Daniel descalso time” will come back to life and the Cardinals will instill that 2011 comeback in the 7th inning or later? Woot woot! Mitt Mittens gonna be crowning them 12th world series champions first game of spring training if not now come October or November of 2024! Rally Squirel where you at bro?!?!

      2
      Reply
  2. Card66

    1 year ago

    Why don,t the Cards address one of our major problems , we need a manager. Marmol needs to go. Ownership needs to face the fact that Marmol does not know what he’s doing, when we had Shumacher telling Marmol what to do is the only reason he survived. Molina would be our best bet to help Marmol and ultimately replace him.

    10
    Reply
    • Gumby82

      1 year ago

      I’m an A’s fan. Be proud that your owner at least cares about winning and won’t move your team

      4
      Reply
      • Sully

        1 year ago

        We went through it with the rams

        4
        Reply
        • AHH-Rox

          1 year ago

          And the football Cardinals before that.

          Reply
    • Deadguy

      1 year ago

      They did with the Raiders and As…. Cardinals recently have been looking like the 1995-1997 Montreal Expos… Larry Walker ie Randy Arozarena… Moises Alou ie Adolis Garcia…. Lane Thomas ie Marquis Grisom… Sandy Alcantara ie Pedro Martinez? Is it time to puke yet?

      Does DeWitt care? Does he care? Can you interview him and ask him the hard questions he’ll quiver his lip at and not give you a straight answer to? I’ve seen him and Mozeliak deflect on those hard questions and refrain to past success rather than offer insight to the future…

      Reply
  3. eatonculo

    1 year ago

    I guess this means Molina didn’t want to work everyday.

    2
    Reply
    • CardsFan6969

      1 year ago

      He may end up in a role related to catching/bullpen from what i understand

      2
      Reply
      • eatonculo

        1 year ago

        That’s what I figured. I didn’t think he’d want to go on every roadtrip or give up month-long vacations.

        I assume he’ll be part-time staff until Marmol gets the ax. Then we’ll see if he wants to manage everyday.

        Reply
  4. Subatomicbunt

    1 year ago

    Barking humans, forgive me for having NO idea wwttff you are talking about my friend.

    Reply
    • CardsFan57

      1 year ago

      There were reports that Molina was being considered as bench coach. I question whether he will have anything more than a ceremonial role now.

      2
      Reply
      • Subatomicbunt

        1 year ago

        I would be stunned to see Yadier play 2nd fiddle to anyone.

        Reply
        • BaseballGuy1

          1 year ago

          He was the primary catcher for entirely too long. Huge ego as you alluded to. One of his biggest faults and one reason why he will never be a good MLB manager.

          1
          Reply
  5. kahnkobra

    1 year ago

    congrats to Daniel Barefoot

    Reply
  6. Tom the ray fan

    1 year ago

    I remember him coming up clutch for the dbacks a bunch, was always a nice bench bat.

    2
    Reply
  7. eznod

    1 year ago

    I’ve often wondered if Holliday left because Ollie had no control of his team, along with wanting to spend time with his family.

    1
    Reply
    • CardsFan57

      1 year ago

      Something changed quickly for Holliday. It’s not like his family magically appeared from no where after he accepted the job.

      8
      Reply
  8. Devlsh

    1 year ago

    The new in vogue title these days seems to be Associate Manager, and I expect Molina will probably be given that title. In fact, bumping Ewing up to the nebulous role of Special Assistant and inserting Descalso probably facilitates Molina’s addition because otherwise it might look like it Ewing was demoted or superseded.

    I AM a little troubled by how long it’s taking to nail down the details on Molina’s role.

    I’d also like to add I always thought the purpose of a Bench Coach was to provide experience to an inexperienced Manager (like Marmol), Clearly the Cardinals think differently.

    2
    Reply
  9. Joel P

    1 year ago

    Lyn first then Descalso. Look out NL Central…..

    2
    Reply
    • n2thecards

      1 year ago

      Dirty Dan is going to be a player as well, right? We seem to have put out the bat signal to every former player. Matt Carpenter is next as hitting coach. Pitching coach Jaime Garcia. I could go on…

      1
      Reply
  10. Quincy V

    1 year ago

    It’s a Mo-vember to remember.

    7
    Reply
    • Joel P

      1 year ago

      Hopefully Old Friend gets you that Lexus this year. You deserve it.

      Reply
      • Quincy V

        1 year ago

        Hopefully you find a better tent one day… maybe closer to someplace that will let you use their bathroom.

        3
        Reply
  11. DonOsbourne

    1 year ago

    Why hire another young, inexperienced coach for staff full of young inexperienced coaches?

    The answer is easy. These guys are controllable. They won’t offer any pushback toward the front office that hired them.

    It really doesn’t matter what they do or who they sign. The problem is much more deeply ingrained. There is nothing left to do but wait this out.

    The Yadi question is just as easily answered. They CAN”T hire Yadi. Yadi has made Mo’s life more difficult by telling everyone he wants the job. Yadi has more political power than Mo, and way, way more than Marmol. They CAN”T hire him because they can’t control him. End of story.

    10
    Reply
    • BaseballGuy1

      1 year ago

      Hilarious! Molina has zero political power.. just talks a lot. The only people that keep talking him up are the fans that think he should be the STL manager. Sorry, not qualified and has a huge ego problem . Best thing STL can do is keep Molina out of the dugout. Just give him the ceremonial red coat and let it go.

      Reply
      • Quincy V

        1 year ago

        Name a great manager who did not have a huge ego.

        2
        Reply
  12. Jason Bernardi

    1 year ago

    Congratulations

    Reply
  13. msqboxer

    1 year ago

    One day, the Cardinals front office will wake up and realize, that players don’t want to play for organizations that fire successful managers or blame their new free agent signing for why the team had a rough April.

    3
    Reply
  14. SupremeZeus

    1 year ago

    Can’t wait for the eventual Yadi as manager crash & burn.

    1
    Reply
    • BaseballGuy1

      1 year ago

      Do not think it will happen in STL despite how foolish STL has been with the Nostalgia Train. Molina is not nor will he ever be a successful MLB manager, way too many flaws.

      Reply
  15. THEY LIVE!!!

    1 year ago

    I don’t know why the Cards fired Shildt but he was a legit manager whereas Marmol should be a groundskeeper.

    2
    Reply
    • Maddog1983

      1 year ago

      They fired shildt because he was horrific. Just because they hired the wrong guy doesn’t mean shildt was any good.

      Reply
      • BaseballGuy1

        1 year ago

        Actually Shildt was an above average MLB manager His ability to get performance from a mediocre STL roster was good. His ability to kiss up to Mozeliak was his weakness in Mozeliak’s eyes. As to Marmol, he was a bad hire after a terrible firing of Shildt. Unfortunately, Marmol is still around to try and manage in 2024.

        1
        Reply
  16. THEY LIVE!!!

    1 year ago

    Would any team take on Willson Contreras’ contract? That would give the FO the money to sign a #1 or #2 starter.

    1
    Reply
    • drasco036

      1 year ago

      No team is taking on 4/77 for Willson Contreras.

      If I’m Hoyer and I think Contreras can play first, I’d consider making a call to the Cardinals but it’s going to be Contreras for Smyly and Bote because Contreras is only worth about 15 million a season and he doesn’t need to be behind the dish.

      Reply
      • DonOsbourne

        1 year ago

        I think that’s reasonable. I think Contreras makes sense as a 1B experiment. The problem is the Cardinals already non-tendered Knizner. But they could definitely take on an underwater contract for a veteran pitcher.

        Reply
  17. jorge78

    1 year ago

    Barefoot Daniel in English!

    1
    Reply
  18. jmlang

    1 year ago

    Maybe they will hire Yadi to a position like Placido Polanco

    Reply
  19. Slider_withcheese

    1 year ago

    Molina will only agree to a coaching job that gives him at least 80 games paid leave per year, plus 10 sick days that can be rolled over

    2
    Reply
    • BaseballGuy1

      1 year ago

      He barely bothered to play enough the last year to even get his pay check.

      Reply
  20. Ghost Pepper

    1 year ago

    Catchers make good managers.
    Learn to catch and you’ll be employed in baseball into your 70’s.

    1
    Reply
  21. Steve Adams Is A Hack

    1 year ago

    Adams sucks. “Meanwhile” can’t come in the middle of the sentence. It has to come at the start. Fire Adams.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Hayden Wesneski To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Dodgers Release Chris Taylor

    Jose Alvarado Issued 80-Game PED Suspension

    Orioles Fire Manager Brandon Hyde

    Ben Joyce Undergoes Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery

    Dodgers Promote Dalton Rushing, Designate Austin Barnes For Assignment

    Major League Baseball Rules That Permanent Ineligibility Ends At Death

    Rangers Place Corey Seager On Injured List

    Cubs Promote Moises Ballesteros

    Evan Longoria To Sign One-Day Contract, Retire As Member Of Rays

    Diamondbacks To Promote Jordan Lawlar

    Rockies Fire Bud Black

    Cubs Promote Cade Horton

    Rafael Devers Unwilling To Play First Base

    Pirates Fire Manager Derek Shelton

    Mariners Claim Leody Taveras

    Rangers Hire Bret Boone As Hitting Coach

    A.J. Minter To Undergo Season-Ending Lat Surgery

    Blue Jays Sign Spencer Turnbull

    Blue Jays Sign José Ureña

    Recent

    Bo Bichette’s Earning Power Spectrum

    Phillies Had Reached Out To David Robertson Before Alvarado Suspension

    Astros To Select Brandon Walter

    Alan Trejo Elects Free Agency

    Padres’ Oscar Gonzalez Granted Release To Pursue Opportunity In NPB

    Poll: How Effective Has The Prospect Promotion Incentive Been?

    Tigers Place Reese Olson On Injured List

    White Sox, Adrian Houser Nearing Deal

    Giants Designate David Villar For Assignment

    Rangers Claim Michael Helman, Designate Jonathan Ornelas

    ad: 300x250_5_side_mlb

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Nolan Arenado Rumors
    • Dylan Cease Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Marcus Stroman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • 2024-25 Offseason Outlook Series
    • 2025 Arbitration Projections
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version