3 Chicago Cubs who won’t survive the trade deadline and why
By Mark Powell
Cubs who won’t survive the trade deadline: Trey Mancini
The Cubs signed Trey Mancini this offseason as a Swiss-army knife of sorts. Mancini can play multiple positions, including corner outfield and first base, but struggled at the plate last season after he was traded to the Houston Astros.
Mancini hopes to revive his career on Chicago’s north side, which he has done and then some. In 41 games played, Mancini is slashing .257/.329/.353 with a .682 OPS. On a contender, Mancini would offer the kind of roster flexibility necessary to be a key bench piece, or perhaps a starter.
Still, the Cubs don’t really need Trey Mancini. Matt Mervis can play first base, and Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ take up the corner outfield spots. Mervix in particular is an exciting young player the fanbase would prefer receive more playing time. If Chicago falls out of contention altogether, expect David Ross to give in to that pressure.
Kevin Henry floated the Los Angeles Angels as a possible trade destination:
"“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.”"
If the Angels are serious about contending in what could be Ohtani’s final season with the franchise, trading for Mancini makes a lot of sense.