The Chicago Cubs have agreed to a two-year deal with free-agent hitter Trey Mancini, which includes an opt-out, ESPN report.
Mancini, who turns 31 in March, is wrapping up his 2022 season hitting .239/.319/.391 with 18 homers in 143 games for the Orioles and Astros.During his career, Mancini has O&M+ He hit 113 home runs in parts of six major league seasons, an average of 27 per 162 games he played.
Heading into the offseason, CBS Sports listed Mancini as its 36th available free agent. Here’s part of RJ Anderson’s article:
“Mancini looked like a different hitter after being traded to the Astros at the deadline. He had worse results in accepting changed methods and setups (he closed his stance and stood straighter). Mancini became obsessed with pulling the ball. It didn’t work for him, but you can understand the temptation: Pulling a guy into the Crawford Boxes after dealing with Waltimore felt like risking horses climbing a few feet. It’s as easy as pedaling around the block days later. Mancini’s track record suggests he should return to average or better hitter form in 2023.”
Mancini has the ability to play left field and first base, but he might end up as a right-hander in Chicago’s DH platoon. If he has a rebound season in 2023, Mancini may be inclined to opt out after the first year of his Cubs contract.
