MLB Weekly Digest October 18th Edition: Cardinals Fire Mike Shildt

Read Time:2 Minute, 52 Second

The prior week in MLB was about a manager in the National League who was fired, a team selects a new general manager, and a club has had a tough time finding someone to run their baseball operations.

St. Louis Cardinals Fire Manager Mike Shildt Over Philosophical Differences

The St. Louis Cardinals made a shocking move last week as they decided to part ways with manager Mike Shildt.

“We have determined that we have a philosophical difference in the direction our major-league club is going,” Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said in a press conference several days ago, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.

John Mozeliak makes it official, announcing that Mike Shildt will not be back as the Cardinals manager. "We have determined that we have a philosophical difference in the direction that our Major League club is going."

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) October 14, 2021

Shildt guided the Cardinals to win 90 games during the 2021 season, clinching the second National League wild-card spot before losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

He won the NL Manager of the Year award in 2019 and owns a managerial record of 252-199.

The Cardinals moving on from Shildt is surprising as he helped the Cardinals make the postseason in three consecutive years after becoming the manager in the middle of the 2018 season.

The Cardinals had a memorable 2021 season as they set a franchise record with 17 consecutive wins.

Mozeliak said he expects to hire a new manager over the next month and would consider an experienced manager with knowledge of the organization.

The Cardinals could target San Diego Padres bench coach Skip Schumaker, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Cardinals president John Mozeliak said the team would hire a new manager over the next month. There are internal candidates. He also talked about knowing the organization's philosophy. San Diego bench coach Skip Schumaker, a well-regarded longtime Cardinal, checks a lot of boxes.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 14, 2021

The firing of Shildt was strange, but hopefully, the new manager will lead the team to success in the future.

Chicago Cubs Select Carter Hawkins As New General Manager

According to a team announcement, the Chicago Cubs have selected Carter Hawkins as their new general manager to work under president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer.

The #Cubs today named Carter Hawkins as the club’s General Manager. Hawkins becomes the 16th general manager in franchise history. pic.twitter.com/YmSfbZieFS

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) October 15, 2021

Hawkins becomes the 16^th general manager in the franchise history.

He was with the Cleveland Indians for 14 seasons and occupied the role of assistant general manager.

Hawkins does face a big challenge as the Cubs are going through a transition phase with their roster.

Theo Epstein stepped down as president of baseball operations, and Hoyer received a promotion to occupy Epstein’s role.

Hoyer, who constructed the 2016 World Series club, then opted to trade critical players from the championship roster during the trade deadline this year, including Kyle Schwarber, Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, and Javier Baez.

The length of the rebuild for the Cubs will be determined if they choose to be active in free agency or allow the young players in their farm system to gain experience with the big-league club.

New York Mets Reportedly Unlikely to Hire Brewers’ Stearns, Athletics’ Beane

The New York Mets search for an executive to lead their baseball operations is not going smoothly.

They probably will not land Oakland Athletics executive vice president Billy Beane or Milwaukee Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns, per sources who told Andy Martino of SNY.

The two MLB executives remain under contract with their respective teams.

Another option for the Mets is to hire a younger general manager, says Martino.

The Mets did speak with Theo Epstein, but he decided he did not want the job.

The team does not currently have a general manager after placing Zack Scott on administrative leave in September following his arrest for driving while intoxicated.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

[email protected]

http://ngscsports.com