Next season probably isn’t even on Tony La Russa’s mind right now, but Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post Dispatch reports that the 67-year-old manager and the Cardinals must both decide whether to exercise their half of a mutual contract option within two weeks of the World Series ending.
When asked if he knew La Russa’s plans, general manager John Mozeliak said: “I think I have an idea of his thinking.”
Strauss quotes “many close to La Russa” as saying they expect him to return for a 17th season with the Cardinals regardless of what happens in the World Series and Mozeliak pointed out that “he does appear to be having fun ... enjoying this run and enjoying this team.”
La Russa is also just 35 wins from passing John McGraw for second place on the all-time list behind Connie Mack and would likely receive a raise from his current $5 million salary, which is already the highest in baseball.
