Massive Cubs free agent bust gets another chance, signs with the Diamondbacks

Everybody loves a comeback story. After not playing in 2024, Trey Mancini is looking to work his way back to the big leagues, signing a minor-league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks this week.

According to Jeff Passan, Mancini will be a non-roster invitee to spring training, looking to latch on with a Diamondbacks club looking to compete in the National League West. Arizona shocked the baseball world with their late Dec. signing of former Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes - and a bounceback campaign from Mancini certainly wouldn't hurt matters.

As Chicago Cubs fans remember all too well, his last big-league stint didn't exactly go as planned. Brought in as part of a first-base platoon with Eric Hosmer, Mancini struggled from the get-go with the Cubs in 2023, playing just half a season before the front office cut ties after he mustered a horrendous -1.7 bWAR splitting time at first base and the outfield.

Mancini is one of the game's best feel-good stories in recent years, battling cancer and making an emotional comeback to the Orioles in 2021. His time in Baltimore ended the following year after the O's traded him to Houston at the deadline, setting him up to earn the first World Series ring of his career.

His struggles seemed to start almost immediately after he left Baltimore. Mancini batted just .176/.258/.364 in 186 plate appearances with the Astros and things just got worse from there, as he's never rediscovered the success he had earlier in his career.

The former AL Comeback Player of the Year is one the more notable free agent busts from Jed Hoyer as he looked to rebuild the Cubs' organizational depth after taking over from Theo Epstein in 2020. Still, I don't think there are many fans in Chicago wishing ill will on him. All the best for Mancini as he starts this new chapter with the Diamondbacks.