Trey Mancini brings World Series experience, survivor’s perspective to Cubs

The Cubs introduced Mancini in virtual news conference Monday.

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The Cubs signed Trey Mancini to a two-year deal worth $14 million guaranteed.

The Cubs signed Trey Mancini to a two-year deal worth $14 million guaranteed.

David J. Phillip/AP

When new Cubs first baseman Trey Mancini found out White Sox closer Liam Hendriks had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, he tracked down Hendriks’ phone number.

On Hendriks’ first day of treatment, Mancini, a cancer survivor, reached out to say, ‘‘If you need any advice, I’m here.’’

‘‘Different chemos,’’ Mancini, 30, said Monday. ‘‘But at the same time, you’re not going to be feeling ideal whenever you’re going through it. So I wanted him to know I have some advice, at least, on what makes you feel better during chemo and how to get through it a little bit better.’’

The Cubs introduced Mancini, who signed a two-year deal worth $14 million guaranteed, in a virtual news conference. His reputation for his power bat — a slump late last season aside — fills a need in the Cubs’ lineup. But it was clear the Cubs also valued Mancini’s off-the-field reputation.

Mancini was the Comeback Player of the Year in 2021 after a battle with Stage 3 colon cancer the year before. He says now that his leg strength going into that season ‘‘wasn’t even close’’ to what it had been before surgery and six months of chemotherapy, but he still mashed 21 home runs in 2021.

Mancini had spent his entire career with the Orioles, who drafted him in the eighth round in 2013, until a three-team trade at the deadline last year sent him to the Astros. He batted .176 with eight homers in 186 plate appearances for them.

‘‘I handled it all well,’’ he said. ‘‘Just, unfortunately, slumped at the wrong time and got in some bad habits at the plate mechanically. But you learn a lot. And I think I powered through really well. And we won the World Series, which was amazing, and I got to contribute in the end there.’’

When a collision on the basepaths in Game 5 of the World Series sidelined Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel, Mancini stepped in. The next inning, he made a game-saving play at first base. In Game 6, he logged his first hit of the playoffs.

Now he’s bringing those lessons to a Cubs team pulling itself out of a rebuild.

‘‘Experience matters at this level,’’ Mancini said. ‘‘When I was a rookie, I sought out the advice of all the veterans that were on the team, like Mark Trumbo, Adam Jones, Chris Davis, J.J. Hardy, the list goes on and on. And that helped me a lot to grow as a player.’’

Mancini’s status as a veteran joining a new team also made him rethink his commitment to Team Italy for the World Baseball Classic this spring.

‘‘A lot of times when you’re around a new team and wanting to get to know the guys, it’s important to be there all spring,’’ Mancini said. ‘‘So that’s on me for not holding off until I knew what situation I was going into.’’

The Cubs have added two veteran first basemen this offseason in Mancini and Eric Hosmer, one who bats from the right side and one from the left. Mancini emphasized his ability to play corner outfield and serve as a designated hitter, too. He said manager David Ross told him pitching matchups would determine where he would play in the field on any given day.

During the offseason, Mancini has been focused on getting back to an up-the-middle approach at the plate and not pulling the ball too much. That’s something he noticed he got away from last season.

‘‘Before I went through [fighting cancer], baseball slumps were the biggest issue I had ever faced in my life,’’ he said. ‘‘And I’m lucky to say that was the biggest problem that I had. But it puts a lot of things in perspective.’’

Still, the intensity and drive with which he approaches his job hasn’t changed.

‘‘But it does make you realize what a real problem is and what a baseball problem is,’’ he said. ‘‘And you can get through any of them.’’

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