ST. LOUIS, MO - SEPTEMBER 8: Jose Martinez #58 of the St. Louis Cardinals hits a two-run single against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the fifth inning at Busch Stadium on September 8, 2017 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

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The St. Louis Cardinals seemed to make some progress on identifying core members of their team’s near-term future, but the team missed the postseason for the fourth straight season as a lengthy rebuild continues.

As the team works its way back toward contention, fans got an update from a member of the team’s more successful recent history, as a longtime position player who had a memorable run in St. Louis is now preparing to take a new step in his baseball career.

Former St Louis Cardinals Sparplug Joins AL Organization After Retirement

Jose Martinez, better known to many Cardinals fans as “Cafecito,” has announced that he is joining the Minnesota Twins organization in a new capacity, marking his return to affiliated baseball shortly after retiring as a player.

“Today I am filled with pride to share with you that I am beginning a new stage as a hitting coach in the Minnesota Twins organization,” Martinez wrote in a translated version of the announcement. “Today it is my turn to share what I learned as a ballplayer and to help others build their own path.”

The announcement represents a transition for the former Cardinals fan favorite, who spent much of his major-league career in St. Louis before eventually making stops with the Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs.

Martinez’s professional playing career continued internationally after he left the Cubs. And now his decision to move into coaching gives him an opportunity to pass along the experience he accumulated throughout those years.

St Louis Cardinals Career, Retirement Lead To New Minnesota Twins Hire

“Martinez concluded his playing career in 2025 after a run in the Mexican League and winter ball in his native Venezuela,” Anthony Franco wrote for MLB Trade Rumors. “Martínez played five seasons in the big leagues. He’s best known for his 2016-19 run with the Cardinals, for whom he had a trio of double digit home run seasons.”

Martinez finished his major-league career with 43 home runs, 182 RBI and a .289 batting average across 432 games. His most productive stretch came in St. Louis, where he became a useful offensive contributor and demonstrated the ability to hit for average while providing occasional power.

The Twins’ decision to bring Martínez into their organization offers him a different avenue to remain involved in the game. Rather than continuing to compete on the field, he will now work to develop hitters and help the next generation of professional players.

For a former Cardinals contributor whose playing career concluded last year, the coaching opportunity represents a new beginning in the sport he has spent much of his life pursuing.