4 Cubs who should be traded and where at the trade deadline

4) Cubs trade candidate Trey Mancini: Los Angeles Angels

Are there really that many good trade destinations for Trey Mancini? There’s a reason why he took forever to sign this offseason. There isn’t much of a demand for him. Sure, he’s been okay for the Cubs this year. Considering they have Matt Mervis and could always plug several other players in at the position, trading Mancini is a must for the Cubs already.

Put all of the names of teams that could use a first base upgrade into a hat and pick one out. Written on the piece of paper we see the Los Angeles Angels.

Everyone without a rooting interest in the Angels is hoping to see them fall only for talks of Shohei Ohtani trade rumors later this summer. Until then, they’re in buy mode. Mancini wouldn’t be such a bad purchase for a team with no clear answer at first base.

This year’s Angels have used Brandon Drury, Gio Urshela, and Jake Lamb most frequently at the position. They have Jared Walsh back from the IL but after a weak performance out of him in 2022 following an All-Star selection in 2021 should force them to look elsewhere.

Mancini isn’t the kind of big splash some fans would want to see yet he fits in with how flexible their roster is. The three players aside from Walsh playing first base most aren’t really first basemen. Mancini, also capable of playing the corner outfield, could serve a similar role. It shouldn’t even cost them a whole lot.

The fun selection for a Mancini trade destination? Send him back to the Houston Astros. Yes, it worked out poorly for both sides in 2022. To the surprise of everyone, he’d be an upgrade over Jose Abreu. Cubs fans should be glad he didn’t land on the Northside.