Inside The Cubs

Mancini Will Be Determining Factor in Chicago Cubs' Success in 2023

The Chicago Cubs have plenty of talent on their roster. However, Trey Mancini's performance will be the determining factor for success during the 2023 MLB season.
Kade Kistner|
Mancini Will Be Determining Factor in Chicago Cubs' Success in 2023
Mancini Will Be Determining Factor in Chicago Cubs' Success in 2023

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Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs added plenty of talent this season. They secured the services of one of the best shortstops in baseball by signing Dansby Swanson. The Cubs then added a former National League MVP in Cody Bellinger. Eric Hosmer might have something left in the tank. And Jameson Taillon was one of the most established pitchers on the market.

But Trey Mancini will be a determining factor of success this season for the Cubs. Mancini will be the litmus test. 

Yes, all of the above players will contribute, perhaps more than Mancini, but the first baseman/outfielder will be the baseline for this lineup. A career .265/.330/.457 hitter, he is not a bonafide superstar, but he is a player that can make an All-Star game.

He is a player that can provide consistency throughout the lineup. Mancini is about as even keeled a player as you will find. He doesn't have incredible highs but he avoids the lows with success.

He has a career 113 OPS+ (MLB avg. 100) and plays steady defense. He has exactly zero Defensive Runs Saved at first base. Nothing to write home about, but he isn't hurting his team.

Mancini is the base level for this Cubs roster.

If Mancini can stay healthy and have a strong season, then this Cubs team will follow suit. 

It's an exciting idea when you take into account just how well Mancini is playing this spring and how he is seeing the ball.

In 19 at-bats, Mancini is hitting an incredible .579/.600/.895 with two home runs. While that isn't sustainable, it shows that Mancini is playing incredible baseball and may just be ready to have a massive breakout season.

Where Mancini goes, so too does this Cubs team. Not often can you look towards one player to use as a gauge for the entire team's success.

More From SI's Inside The Cubs

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  2. Did David Robertson Net the Cubs a Future Star in Ben Brown?
  3. Hoerner is the Cubs Shortstop of the Future
  4. Cubs Could Give Canario a Shot in September
  5. Could the Cubs Land Trea Turner in the Offseason?
  6. Chicago Cubs Have a New Top Prospect in Their Rankings
  7. Is This Top Cubs Prospect Destined for the Mound at Wrigley?
  8. Steele Offers Glimpse Into Future of Cubs Rotation
  9. Do the Chicago Cubs Have the National League's Best Bullpen?
  10. Can Christopher Morel be a Long-Term Solution in Center Field

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Kade Kistner
KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Cubs. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.

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