MLB Rumors: The Cubs are done with Trey Mancini
The Trey Mancini experiment is done in Chicago.
Mancini was a major MLB trade deadline addition in Houston this time last year. He was expected to split time in the outfield and at first base. Mancini did just that, but did not perform well.
After signing with the Chicago Cubs this offseason, Mancini was able to get a reset. The Cubs front office took a chance on him, hoping the rental would perform well enough to earn a regular spot in the lineup, or at the very least be trade bait come this year's deadline. Instead, Mancini failed to do either of those things.
In 79 games, Mancini is hitting just .234, and for a Cubs team hoping to contend for a postseason spot, that is not good enough.
Chicago acquired Jeimer Candelario at the MLB trade deadline, who can play first base if called upon. The Cubs also have Matt Mervis sitting in the minor leagues, and the young slugger could be recalled to the majors in short order to replace Mancini.
Considering his pedigree, Mancini will receive another opportunity this season to rebuild his resume. It just won't be in the Windy City.
MLB Rumors: NY Mets headed towards a full-scale rebuild
I'm sorry, Mets fans. As much as Billy Eppler may say that New York intends on contending come 2024, it appears they have an eye towards 2025 after the trade deadline. Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander are gone. Scherzer, now with the Rangers, opened up about New York's long-term plans after his deal became official.
"I talked to Billy," Scherzer told The Athletic. "I was like, 'OK, are we reloading for 2024?' He goes, 'No, we're not. Basically our vision now is for 2025-2026, '25 at the earliest, more like '26. We're going to be making trades around that.'
"I was like, 'So the team is not going to be pursuing free agents this offseason or assemble a team that can compete for a World Series next year?' He said, 'No, we're not going to be signing the upper-echelon guys. We're going to be on the smaller deals within free agency. '24 is now looking to be more of a kind of transitory year.'"
It's odd for an owner like Steve Cohen to sign off on a rebuild, but given the number of young pieces the Mets have, it does make some sense. Players like Francisco Alvarez and Brett Bay will, ideally, be hitting their primes around that time period. If New York can figure out their starting rotation by the end of next season, they should be in prime position to make a postseason run in a few years without relying on pitchers in their 40's.
MLB Rumors: Braves avoid the big move
Alex Anthopoulos and the Atlanta Braves were mentioned as possible suitors for former Mets ace Justin Verlander, but that always seemed like a longshot given the two teams reside in the same division. The Mets would've been unwise to send a pitcher of Verlander's caliber to Atlanta, and the Braves were smart enough not to trade top prospect to a team that could haunt them for years to come.
However, Atlanta opted against adding top rotation talent altogether. With the return of Max Fried and the looming comeback of Kyle Wright, it's almost like the Braves are adding to their rotation, in a sense.
The Braves are World Series favorites for a reason, with or without major trade deadline additions. So, Anthopoulos did the smart thing and opted against ruining clubhouse camaraderie. Why mess with a good thing?
The Braves lead the NL East by a stable margin, and should make the postseason. Whether they will regret stability at the end of the season remains to be seen.