Former Cubs free agent flop just got surprising second chance with Angels

We've come a long way since Chicago Cubs fans were chanting Trey Mancini's name at bingo during the Cubs Convention. Mancini was one of the final moves the Cubs made during the 2023 offseason, hoping that his arrival would create an ideal platoon at first base with fellow veteran Eric Hosmer.

Neither move worked out in the Cubs' favor. It was clear pretty early on that Hosmer was ready for retirement, and it also seemed obvious that the end of line may have been arriving for Mancini. The former Baltimore Orioles slugger slashed .234/.299/.336 with a wRC+ of 75 in 263 plate appearances with the Cubs in 2023.

Beyond his struggles offensively, Mancini also looked like a shell of his former self at first base. The Cubs ended the experiment during the regular season, and it took a season, but their first base problem has since been solved with ascension of Michael Busch.

Mancini, meanwhile, has lived up to his "baseball rat" reputation in the years since. He's bounced around on minor-league assignments with several different teams, and his latest stop is proving to be the one that got Mancini back to the majors.

Before the Los Angeles Angels' 5-4 loss to the Houston Astros on Monday, they selected Mancini's contract, marking his return to the majors for the first time since his run with the Cubs. Mancini was in the Halos' starting lineup last night, collecting three hits in his four plate appearances.

Trey Mancini and Nick Madrigal are forming a Cubs reunion

Rather than give runway to some of their younger players, the Angels appear to be favoring veterans this season. Before Mancini's arrival on Monday, LA had previously selected the contract of former Cubs infielder Nick Madrigal.

Figuring out the bench has been a headache for the Cubs in recent years. It seems to have finally taken step forward this season, considering Michael Conforto has found success and Matt Shaw as a utility man has raised the floor of the production. Of course, part of the problem is that the regulars in the Cubs' starting lineup aren't currently producing.

If the Cubs turn their season around and are buyers at the deadline, it wouldn't be a complete surprise if they pursued a veteran bat for the bench. Having said that, they likely won't have any interest in a reunion with Mancini.

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