Chicago Cubs News: Trey Mancini signing becomes official

The Chicago Cubs made the signing of veteran free-agent first baseman Trey Mancini official on Friday as the team announced the move on Twitter.

There are escalators in Mancini's contract with the Cubs as well as incentives. If Mancini exceeds 350 plate appearances with the Cubs in 2023, then he would have the option of opting out of his deal at the end of the season. The deal is a win for both sides as the Cubs address their need for power with Mancini and the World Series champion also has the opportunity to opt-out and make more money next offseason if he finds success with the team this season.

Expect Mancini to get a bulk of his plate appearances as the team's designated hitter. The belief coming out of the Cubs' Convention this past weekend was that veteran Eric Hosmer would serve as the team's Opening Day first baseman. Mancini also has the capability of playing either corner outfield spot so there is a chance that he will get a look in the outfield from time to time.

Prior to the signing of Mancini, the Cubs' 40-man roster was full so there was bound to be a corresponding roster move. The move was the team designating left-handed relief pitcher Anthony Kay for assignment.

The Cubs had claimed Kay off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays earlier this offseason. With the Cubs in the market for a veteran left-handed reliever to pair with Brandon Hughes in the bullpen, it seemed inevitable that the team would attempt to sneak Kay through waivers at some point prior to the start of the season. If Kay clears waivers and accepts his assignment to triple-A Iowa, he would be a nice project for the team to work on with the hope of him returning to the Major League level at a later point in the season.