CHICAGO — Eric Hosmer arrived at the Cubs convention this weekend as the Cubs’ new veteran first baseman in a sharp Cubbie blue blazer. Prospect Matt Mervis toured the Sheraton Grand Chicago, where fans lined up to get the future first baseman’s autograph.
And on Saturday night, as Cubs fans toasted the upcoming season with a day left in the convention, word came that first baseman Trey Mancini was also in the plans for the North Siders. A source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand that Mancini has signed a two-year contract with the Cubs pending a physical.
The Cubs did not approve the deal, which includes opting out after the 2023 season, according to Feinsand. The financial aspect of the contract was also not immediately known.
Earlier on Saturday at the Cubs Convention, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer noted that the lefty-swinging Hosmer will “play against right-handed pitching every day.” That left an opportunity for a platoon situation with a right-handed hitter. Mancini fits that mold.
Hosmer said “everything” about the Cubs’ situation was appealing.
“It’s just a young, energetic group,” Hosmer said. “On the other hand, looking in, you see the talent, you see guys on the way up and some of the signs they’ve made.”
Before Hosmer’s arrival to a league-minimum deal, San Diego is set to play out the remainder of his contract through 2025, the Cubs signed free agents Dansby Swanson, Cody Bellinger and Jameson Taillon, among others.
“It just seems like a really good group and it seems like a division that’s open,” Hosmer said. “And that these guys might have a really good chance. And I’m glad to be a part of it.”
Hoyer believes there could be a real “change of scenery” in Hosmer’s situation.
“In San Diego, he went there, signed a big contract,” Hoyer said. “He had some good years, but obviously it didn’t go the way they hoped and they’ve moved on. And it wasn’t the most comfortable environment, as it turned out. And I think bringing him into our environment, I think it’s good. there are years left.”
Mancini, who was named the 2021 American League Player of the Year after coming back from Stage 3 colon cancer, is coming off a solid showing in 22 between the Orioles and Astros. He belted 18 homers with 63 RBI, but struggled (.622 OPS) after the midseason trade to Houston.
Mancini’s best season came in 2019, when he had 35 homers and an .899 OPS in a breakout showing in Baltimore. He has posted remarkable splits against righties (.265/.330/.456) and lefties (.266/.331/.459) over his career.
Hosmer has four Gold Glove awards, but advanced defensive standards have not been kind to him in recent years. He had reverse splits in 2022 (.773 OPS vs. lefties compared to .693 OPS vs. righties), but he has been better against righties (.810 OPS) than southpaws (.668 OPS) in his career.
In the field, Mancini, 30, also has experience at both corner outfields, but the fit with the Cubs will be at first base, where he has been a plus defender. Patrick Wisdom could also play first and get at-bats as the designated hitter, but he could also stick with Mancini at third.
Adding Mancini to the first base and DH picture could also mean Mervis’ most likely opening day destination is Triple-A Iowa. Mervis, 24, hit .309 with 36 homers, 119 RBIs and a .984 OPS last year as he moved up through High-A, Double-A and Triple-A.
Before adding Hosmer and Mancini, Mervis (No. 21 on Pipeline’s Top 30 Cubs Prospects list) had a real path to Chicago’s Opening Day roster. Now, the Cubs can take a more typical developmental approach for a player not currently on the 40-man roster.
“I’m not going to put any extra pressure on myself trying to make the team by having a great game in spring training,” Mervis said. “Those guys are smarter than that, they’re not going to see me hit a home run or something and say, “Yes, he’s ready.” Obviously, they’re going to put a little more work into it and evaluate things as they should.”
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