Cubs add free-agent 1B Mancini

One of the more memorable plays of the 2022 World Series came courtesy of Astros backup first baseman Trey Mancini, who snared a rocket off the bat of Phillies (and former Cubs) slugger Kyle Schwarber down the line in Game 5.

Now the Cubs reportedly are in agreement with Mancini on a two-year deal.

Mancini hit .239 last year, his season split between the Orioles and Astros. He hit 18 home runs, which would have been good for third on the 2022 Cubs.

The Astros traded for his impact bat. But instead, he slumped. In the playoffs, his glove became the story when he made the rally-killing, gamesaving play.

He adds a right-handed bat to the Cubs’ first-base mix, which is expected to include veteran Eric Hosmer, whom the Cubs signed to a one-year deal, and powerhitting prospect Matt Mervis. All three also can serve as the designated hitter.

The depth gives the Cubs flexibility in Mervis’ development plan, providing the personnel for him to spend parts of the season racking up more at-bats in Triple-A, if need be.

Cubs manager David Ross and baseball president Jed Hoyer have talked openly this offseason about the opportunity Mervis has in front of him to compete for a roster spot in spring training, which Mervis said Saturday at the Cubs Convention was “exciting.”

“But at the same time, I’m going to approach it how I did during the season and try to wake up every day and have a good day of baseball,” Mervis said.

“I’m not going to put any extra pressure on myself trying to make the team by having a great game in spring training because those guys are smarter than that.”