The Curious Case of Mikolas: Cardinals' Manager Declares Extended Pitcher 'Not My Best'

In the unpredictable world of Major League Baseball, team decisions often spark debate, but few have raised as many eyebrows as the St. Louis Cardinals' handling of veteran pitcher Miles Mikolas. Fresh off a two-year, $34 million extension signed in February 2023, Mikolas found himself the subject of a rather blunt assessment from his own manager, Oliver Marmol.

The candid remark — "He's not my best pitcher" — has left fans and analysts alike questioning the strategic direction of a franchise known for its stability.

Marmol's comment, delivered with a directness that might be seen as refreshingly honest by some and bewilderingly impolitic by others, immediately put the spotlight back on Mikolas's recent performance.

For a pitcher who has amassed a 50-65 record over his last six seasons with a 4.29 ERA, the extension itself was a point of contention. To then hear the team's skipper publicly acknowledge that the player they just heavily invested in isn't even their top arm feels like a tactical misstep in player management and public relations.

The timing is particularly poignant given Mikolas's challenging 2023 campaign, where he finished with a 6-13 record and a 4.78 ERA.

While his 2022 All-Star season (12-13, 3.29 ERA) certainly hinted at his potential, the overall trend has been one of inconsistency. This makes the substantial extension, inked just before the season began, even more perplexing in hindsight. Was it a vote of confidence in his bounce-back ability, or a commitment based on past glory rather than current trajectory?

The Cardinals' 2023 season was, by all accounts, a disappointment, finishing last in the NL Central for the first time in over three decades.

Against this backdrop of team underperformance, every decision, every statement, carries amplified weight. Marmol's comment about Mikolas, regardless of its intention, inadvertently shines a harsh light on the front office's player valuation and the communication breakdown that seems to plague the organization.

Fans are left to wonder: What message does this send to Mikolas? To the rest of the pitching staff? And more broadly, what does it say about the Cardinals' strategic vision for rebuilding and competing? The St.

Louis faithful expect a certain standard, and statements like these, coupled with financial commitments to players who are then publicly downplayed, only add to the growing list of questions about the team's path forward. The 'Lizard King' may still be on the mound for the Cardinals, but the crown of 'best pitcher' clearly remains up for grabs, at least according to his manager.