On Saturday, the Chicago Cubs took another action by signing Trey Mancini to a two-year, $14 million contract. This signing seems to make a lot of sense at first glance. The Cubs had been interested in Mancini since the beginning of the offseason, and they were able to sign him to a deal that was reasonably priced.
By adding a strong bay from the right side of the dish, he extends the lineup by lengthening it. However, what makes it noteworthy is that it adds even more barriers to Matt Mervis’ hopes of making the team’s roster for Opening Day.
The Cubs planned to spend money over the offseason to improve their starting lineup. At least that was the rumor going around; some people in the business were skeptical that they would follow through. With no doubt, they kept their promise. They haven’t quite opened the floodgates as the Mets have, but they have been very active in the free-agent market.
They made a big splash by giving superstar shortstop Dansby Swanson a seven-year, $177 million contract. They signed Cody Bellinger, a former National League MVP, to a one-year, $12.5 million deal. To add some left-handed power to the mix, they signed Eric Hosmer to a one-year contract. To help Yan Gomes out behind the plate, they also recruited Tucker Barnhart, a fantastic defensive catcher.
Before the signings of Trey Mancini and Hosmer, Mervis was gaining traction in fantasy managers’ minds as a player who could be an impact acquisition in his debut season. The 24-year-old slugger had a breakout season in 2022, slashing a strong. Over 137 games in three minor league levels, the player hit 309/.379/.606 with 36 long balls and 119 RBI.
The Arizona Fall League saw him continue to excel, and he was honored as the Fall Stars Game MVP for his performance. In early NFBC Draft Champions selections, he has consistently been chosen among the top 300 picks overall and has been taken as high as pick 205. However, Trey Mancini and Hosmer will postpone Mervis’ eventual entrance. They are not the kinds of guys who will necessarily keep him back.
Hosmer will presumably start the season as the team’s everyday first baseman against right-handed pitching, with Mancini likely spending time there against southpaws. When Hosmer isn’t playing first base, Trey Mancini will likely split his time between the outfield and the designated hitter position. Mervis might be in Triple-A Iowa for a longer period of time than fantasy managers would want if Hosmer and Mancini both have successful seasons.
Mervis is undoubtedly the most intriguing choice of the three from a fantasy standpoint because he possesses the kind of power that may have a significant effect. Trey Mancini, who plays half of his games in the hitter-friendly confines of Wrigley Field, has previously shown himself to be helpful as well and could have a small comeback.
Hosmer is by far the least intriguing of the three, and it’s not even close. Hosmer is unlikely to be helpful in any area, even at his best, and he is unlikely to get enough at-bats to be of any use in compiling metrics.