Chicago Cubs Rumors: Trey Mancini remains a target for first base

The Chicago Cubs offseason began in earnest this past week at the Major League Baseball Winter Meetings as the team signed outfielder Cody Bellinger and veteran starting pitcher Jameson Taillon. Remaining at the top of the Cubs' wish list this offseason is landing a free-agent shortstop in the form of either Carlos Correa or Dansby Swanson. With Swanson being the most likely of the two free-agent shortstops for the Cubs, there is no question that the team will need to add more impact bats in order successfully improve their offense heading into 2023.

In an update to the Cubs' offseason wish list on Friday, 670 The Score's MLB insider Bruce Levine offered the following insight into the team's offseason plans.

Trey Mancini is a first-baseman by trade but does have the capability of playing both corner spots in the outfielder. The concern for Mancini, however, is he struggled considerably with the Houston Astros after being traded by the Baltimore Orioles at the Major League Baseball trade deadline last season. In 186 plate appearances with the Astros after the trade deadline, Mancini slashed .176/.258/.364/.622 while posting a 77 wRC+.

Mancini, who hit 20+ home runs in consecutive seasons from 2017 through 2021, likely would serve as a first base platoon option with emerging first base prospect Matt Mervis in 2023. FanGraphs Steamer projection does have Mancini bouncing back in 2023 from his second-half struggles last season as he has a projected slash line of .244/.321/.410/.731 while posting a 107 wRC+ with 20 home runs.

Not to be overlooked in Levine's tweet is the Kodai Senga mention. Senga gives the Cubs a top-of-the-rotation pitcher while also allowing the team to potentially dangle Adbert Alzolay in potential trade discussions for a catcher. Oakland Athletics' catcher Sean Murphy remains on the trade block and Alzolay certainly would be an enticing piece in potential package from the Cubs.