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Report: Cubs agree to 2-year, $14M deal with Mancini

Michael Starghill / Major League Baseball / Getty

The Chicago Cubs have added yet another big bat.

Chicago agreed to a two-year contract with free-agent slugger Trey Mancini, sources told ESPN's Jesse Rogers. The deal includes an opt-out after the 2023 season.

The deal is worth $14 million, including escalators and incentives, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman.

Mancini, 30, heads to the North Side of Chicago on the heels of winning his first World Series championship with the Houston Astros. He struggled at the plate during his three months in Houston, posting a .622 OPS with just eight home runs in 51 games before going 1-for-21 in the playoffs. But he had a pivotal moment in the team's World Series win when he stole a base hit from Kyle Schwarber to snuff out a Phillies rally late in Game 5 at Philadelphia.

In Chicago, he'll give manager David Ross another right-handed power bat in the middle of the Cubs' lineup. While Mancini offers a bit of versatility, having spent plenty of time in the outfield during his career, he'll mostly play first base and designated hitter for the Cubs, according to Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic. He can serve as a primary DH while also spelling Eric Hosmer at first against left-handed pitching.

Additionally, Mancini's presence allows highly regarded first-base prospect Matt Mervis to develop more in Triple-A. Mervis, considered by many to be the team's long-term first baseman, will likely make his big-league debut at some point next season after hitting 36 homers across three minor-league levels last year.

Mancini is the latest addition to a revamped Cubs lineup, following Hosmer, star shortstop Dansby Swanson, and former National League MVP Cody Bellinger, among others.

Over six big-league seasons with the Astros and Baltimore Orioles, Mancini owns a .265/.330/.457 slash line with 125 home runs and 372 RBIs. Mancini was named American League Comeback Player of the Year in 2021 after his successful return to the field following a battle with colon cancer.

The New York Mets were also said to be interested in Mancini this offseason.

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