Adding Mancini, Coordinating Starts, Hendricks’ Shoulder Feeling Good, and Other Cubs Bullets

Jan 15, 2023

Time to head home from Chicago after a wonderful Cubs Convention weekend. It’s just so good to have it back. Thank you to everyone I saw and chatted with, and I’m getting pretty excited for this season. Just sayin’.

After all that maybe-they-will, maybe-they-can’t, it turns out the Chicago Cubs really were still in on Trey Mancini all along, reportedly agreeing to a two-year deal with him last night. Mancini, 30, reportedly gets $14 million guaranteed, though he can opt out of the first year of the deal if he reaches 350 PAs this season and prefers to hit free agency again. For the Cubs, Mancini provides so many things at once: a clear power boost to a lineup that needs one; a mostly-split-neutral guy who can play at first, a corner outfield spot, or DH, whenever needed; a quality clubhouse presence; a reduction in pressure on Matt Mervis to be ready right away; more depth.

I also want to reiterate that Mancini, who is now another year removed from cancer, was probably very unlucky last year (his xwOBA was 15 points higher than his actual wOBA) *AND* likely would have had quite a few more balls leave the park if he’d been playing in a different home stadium.

Trey Mancini could really bang at Wrigley pic.twitter.com/4WdMoVxd7R
— Greg Zumach (@IvyFutures) January 15, 2023

This is very much a big power boost for the Cubs, and it comes from a guy who sports a league-average strikeout rate. Also, a random fun fact? Mancini’s expected wOBA of .327 last year was the same as Seiya Suzuki. So there’s some context on how at least one metric sums up the results he SHOULD have gotten.

At least initially, my guess is that we see Mancini and Eric Hosmer splitting time at first base, not so much in a strict platoon, but depending on match-ups AND depending on what David Ross wants to do at DH that day. Mancini’s presence will impact not only Hosmer’s playing time, but also Patrick Wisdom and Christopher Morel (because Wisdom now probably loses some DH starts, and Morel therefore probably loses some third base starts). You have to keep in mind, though, that (1) not everyone will be completely healthy at the same time, (2) regular rest for all the guys is a very good thing for optimizing production over a full season, and (3) if a guy like Christopher Morel is breaking out*, he’s going to find his way in the lineup every day, regardless of the other dudes.

*(Assuming Morel doesn’t start the year at Triple-A Iowa, which wouldn’t be absolutely crazy, mind you.)

Also keep in mind: optimizing match-ups is not just about platoons. It’s also about which hitters are best against which type of pitch profiles:

David Ross should be able to selectively play Wisdom and Mancini, optimizing both their value.

E.g., Mancini hits high fastballs significantly better than Wisdom. Mancini's expected wOBA against upper-quadrant 4seams was ~100 points better than Wisdom's last season. pic.twitter.com/7GtprOkFCz— Brendan Miller (@brendan_cubs) January 15, 2023

Something something let Jed cook something something:

Chicago Cubs having a sneaky offseason.

Notable additions:
• Dansby Swanson (SS)
• Trey Mancini (1B)
• Cody Bellinger (OF)
• Jameson Taillon (SP)
• Drew Smyly (SP)
• Eric Hosmer (1B)
• Tucker Barnhart (C)
• Brad Boxberger (RP)— Danny Vietti (@DannyVietti) January 15, 2023

Speaking at the Convention, Kyle Hendricks sounded very positive and happy about where his shoulder is right now (capsular tear, no surgery). He’s six weeks into his throwing program, feels very good, and he’s just taking his time building back up, as per the team’s/doctor’s plans. He said that being back by Opening Day might not be realistic, but his goal is soon thereafter.

Given the extreme depth the Cubs have on the starting pitching side, they probably wouldn’t hate Hendricks really taking his time to be ready. It would not only give him more time to solidify the mechanical changes he’s made to keep the shoulder in better shape, but it would also reduce the total innings Hendricks might pitch in the year. While he’s out, you could see guys like Hayden Wesneski, Adrian Sampson, and Javier Assad have more starting opportunities early in the year.

The kids know how to have a good time:

If you give a kid a microphone… 😂#CubsCon @AdvocateKids pic.twitter.com/xNTuftpQML
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) January 15, 2023

Today is the day the new International Free Agency period opens up, and Bryan has your preview here.

Oof. This deal did not work out for the Yankees in the 2022 part of it, and now the 2023 part is starting off in trouble:

Can confirm with a source that Frankie Montas is expected to miss at least the first month of the season with shoulder inflammation.

The Yankees could turn to either Domingo German or Clarke Schmidt for the fifth spot in the rotation.— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) January 14, 2023

Cubs gotta work on their impressions:

The @Cubs try their hand at impressions pic.twitter.com/yWGcsoT2ix
— Joey (@JoeyMulinaro) January 15, 2023

Random, but always good:

93 Seconds of Jake Arrieta's Filthy Stuff from his 1st No-Hitter (8/30/15).

When Jake Arrieta was the Most Dominant Pitcher on the Planet…😯💪🌎 pic.twitter.com/H0EKWleWnc— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) January 15, 2023

written by

What a road it's been - continues to be - for Cubs outfield prospect Brennen Davis. The former top prospect was on a rocket ship to Triple-A in 2021, and then mostly lost the last two years to various injuries....

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

CRAAAAAP: Cody Bellinger to the Injured List (UPDATES)

So much for all those words of optimism and negative X-rays. After colliding with the outfield wall last night, Cody Bellinger fractured his rib (Update: It's actually TWO fractured right ribs) and will hit the injured list today. Chicago Cubs...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Lineup: What is it, June 2023?

CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs took Game 1 against the Houston Astros in convincing fashion last night. So tonight, they'll go for the quick series win against Spencer Arrighetti at Wrigley Field (it'd be a good idea to win...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Bellinger Optimistic Post-Injury, Busch’s Defense, Almonte Stock Rising, Tauchman Slugging, and Other Cubs Bullets

Ed. Note: Since this article was published, a CT scan revealed a rib fracture for Cody Bellinger, who is now on the Injured List. You can find all the details of that news in our most recent article right here....

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Outfield Prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong Coming Up

With Cody Bellinger headed to the Injured List with a rib fracture, the Cubs are in need of another outfielder: center field prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong is coming back up to the big leagues for the second time. https://twitter.com/670TheScore/status/1783217891195625709 Crow-Armstrong, 22,...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Is Mike Tauchman the Best Player in Baseball? An Exploration

Hey, we're just having some early-season fun. So allow me to present the 'Mike Tauchman Is Clearly Better Than' list. As of this moment, Mike Tauchman has ... ... a higher wRC+ (151) than Pete Alonso, Fernando Tatis Jr., and...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Farm Report | April 24, 2024: Kevin Alcántara Cannot Miss Right Now

Name a player hotter than Kevin Alcántara right now. Go ahead, I'll wait. (He's already raking again today. Literally as I type this.) More on Alcántara's big day and the Smokies home run parade last night in today's Cubs Farm...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Oof: Blake Snell to the Injured List Just Three Horrible Starts into His Giants Career

Just three starts into his San Francisco Giants career, Blake Snell is heading to the injured list with a left-adductor strain. Oof. You hate to even say it — and who really knows if this was related — but early...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Picks

Dodgers vs. Nationals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

The Los Angeles Dodgers (15-11) and Will Smith (four hits last time out) are favored (-199) on the moneyline for their matchup with the Washington Nationals (10-13) on Thursday at 4:05 PM ET on MLB Network.Los Angeles' Yoshinobu Yamamoto and...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Cubs

The Milwaukee Brewers (15-8) are set to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates (13-12) Thursday at 12:35 PM ET, airing on BSWI. The Brewers are listed as -128 favorites by sportsbooks, while the underdog Pirates have +107 odds for the contest.Freddy...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Adding Mancini, Coordinating Starts, Hendricks’ Shoulder Feeling Good, and Other Cubs Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular