As the Chicago Cubs consider their choices in free agency, they have been searching for power batters to add to their lineup well into this offseason.
One, in whom they were supposedly interested, has apparently agreed to a deal with their division opponents and is no longer available.
Maybe their unsuccessful attempt to sign another powerful first baseman during the offseason affected their decision to not sign Rhys Hoskins after his injury.
Either way, when players find new residences, the available options are progressively less.
After apparently signing a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins, Trey Mancini, the former slugging first baseman for the Cubs, is currently included in that group, according to Jon Heyman of The New York Post.
Mancini, who won a World Series with the Houston Astros in 2022, inked a two-year, $13 million contract with Chicago in free agency last year.
With a.364 slugging percentage, eight home runs, and 22 RBI in 51 games, the power bat contributed some pop to the Astros lineup despite struggling after being traded by the Baltimore Orioles to them at the trade deadline.
Mancini was primarily brought in to address the Cubs’ 2023 first base problems. On the other hand, he had offensive trouble, finishing 79 games with a slash line of.234/.299/.336 with just four home runs and 28 RBI.
Chicago released him in August after designating him for assignment.
The 31-year-old was subsequently released a week after agreeing to a minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds.
With the Marlins, Mancini will now try to restart his career and earn a spot on the team by performing well in spring training.
