Former overhyped Cubs prospect just found another team to disappoint

The funniest thing Chicago Cubs fans did in recent years was give Matt Mervis a nickname before he even reached the major league level. Mervis put up impressive offensive numbers during his ascent through the Cubs farm system, earning him the "Mash" moniker, but that was the one thing he didn't do once making it to the big league club.

In 36 games with the Cubs across two seasons, Mervis slashed .155/.222/.259 with an OPS+ of 33. He had 40 strikeouts in 127 plate appearances, and having only hit 3 home runs, there was very little reason for the Cubs to continue with the experiment.

Last offseason, the Cubs traded Mervis to the Miami Marlins in exchange for Vidal Brujan. Neither player finished the 2025 season with either team.

Mervis was given an extended runway as the Marlins' first baseman to open the 2025 season, and to his credit, he had 7 home runs during the first month of the season. However, the familiar trends popped back up, with "Mash" hitting under .200 while striking out over 37% of the time. Mervis finished the 2025 season with the Arizona Diamondbacks' Triple-A affiliate.

Matt Mervis has a homecoming, landing with the Washington Nationals.

Mervis is returning to the team that originally drafted him in 2016. Jon Heyman reports that the Washington Nationals have signed Mervis in a move that is certainly a minor-league deal. The Nationals are rebuilding, so with an impressive showing in spring training, there is likely a chance that Mervis breaks camp on their Opening Day roster. If his time with the Cubs or Marlins is any indicator, it likely will end with even more proof that he isn't a major league hitter.

Mervis' trajectory should be a reminder for the Cubs not to waste Jonathon Long. Long is eligible for the Rule 5 draft next offseason, but may have lost his path to the major league roster after Tyler Austin was signed.

Rather than trade Long when it's too late, as they did with Mervis, if the Cubs are looking for a cost-controlled starting pitcher, the first baseman may be an ideal prospect to include as the second piece of a package.