The Trey Mancini Appreciation Thread

[sportsfan8703]

I like Mancini but his Oriole, ultra aggressive approach, really stood out in a bad way in the playoffs. He was a top of the line up hitter for us but with HOU he was only a matchup #8 type. I root for Mancini, but I don’t see us going with a traditional DH, especially with Westburg/Norby/Cowser being ready, or almost ready in AAA. If we don’t make a splashy signing then I could see us bringing back Aguilar to get us through June 1st(Cowser/Norby ETA). 

[Tony-OH]

On 11/6/2022 at 5:36 AM, InsideCoroner said:

He had a tough postseason at the plate, but his defensive play in the 8th inning of Game 5 helped give Verlander his first Series win. I was rooting for the underdogs in this one, but I’m really happy that Trey gets a ring. 

That was certainly his highlight with the Astros during the playoffs. 

He didn't play very well for the Astros for some reason, but I'm happy for him. Couldn't happen to a better guy. 

[DrungoHazewood]

23 hours ago, Natty said:

Mancini with the O's vs with the Astro's

Orioles... 268/347/404/751

Astros...176/258/364/622

Is Houston going to dump him?

Are we going to get him back? 

Overall he was a first baseman/DH with a 101 OPS+, worth 1.3 rWAR in 143 games at the age of 30.  He'll probably sign somewhere on a short, relatively inexpensive deal to try to build value for next year.  

I don't know what Houston's plans are, but I don't see a good fit for the Orioles.  He's Ryan Mountcastle, but five years older and much more expensive.  And people are wondering if the O's keep Mountcastle.

[Moose Milligan]

On 11/6/2022 at 7:12 AM, Sports Guy said:

Sofa king awesome.

Great for him.

All those fans that were pissed to see him dealt…THIS is why trading him was worth it.  

I kinda like this new 2020s SG that shows some semblance of feeling and humanity.  Way better than the 2000s version.

[Frobby]

14 minutes ago, sportsfan8703 said:

I like Mancini but his Oriole, ultra aggressive approach, really stood out in a bad way in the playoffs. He was a top of the line up hitter for us but with HOU he was only a matchup #8 type. I root for Mancini, but I don’t see us going with a traditional DH, especially with Westburg/Norby/Cowser being ready, or almost ready in AAA. If we don’t make a splashy signing then I could see us bringing back Aguilar to get us through June 1st(Cowser/Norby ETA). 

I would not say Mancini has an ultra-aggressive approach at the plate.  He had an 8.7% BB rate for the Orioles, 9.7% for the Astros.  AL average was 8.0%.   The O’s averaged 7.9%, the Astros 8.7%. Eight AL teams had a lower walk rate than the Orioles.  

Mancini did not hit well for Houston, either during the season or in the playoffs.   Just didn’t seem to be in rhythm, at any particular point after the trade.   That’s a shame, but he has his ring anyway.  

Going forward, he’s more likely to be the player he was for Baltimore than the one he was for Houston. 

[Tony-OH]

36 minutes ago, Frobby said:

I would not say Mancini has an ultra-aggressive approach at the plate.  He had an 8.7% BB rate for the Orioles, 9.7% for the Astros.  AL average was 8.0%.   The O’s averaged 7.9%, the Astros 8.7%. Eight AL teams had a lower walk rate than the Orioles.  

Mancini did not hit well for Houston, either during the season or in the playoffs.   Just didn’t seem to be in rhythm, at any particular point after the trade.   That’s a shame, but he has his ring anyway.  

Going forward, he’s more likely to be the player he was for Baltimore than the one he was for Houston. 

You bring up some good points, but the age factor and the fact he has the skill set of the kind of player that typically declines earlier than others would concern me if I were an GM. I don't think he's the guy we saw in Houston, but it would not surprise me if he's not a low .700 OPS locked into a first base defensively going forward. 

[DrungoHazewood]

22 minutes ago, Frobby said:

Going forward, he’s more likely to be the player he was for Baltimore than the one he was for Houston. 

Yes, but with each passing year he's more likely to decline to the point where he's no longer an effective major league hitter.  

Look at his top comps on bb-ref through age 30 (age of last effective full season in parentheses):

Jay Gibbons (29)
Kevin Young (30)
Ben Oglive (36) - last year with 15+ homers at 33
Rico Brogna (29, I guess)
Greg Walker (27)
Jim Northrup (33)
Nick Esasky (29)
Cody Ross (31)
Jorge Soler (still active, not good in '22 at 30)
Jason Kubel (30)

Even Mancini's '22 Orioles number (113 OPS+ from a DH/1B) is not a resume indicative of another 4-5 years as a solid MLB regular.

[Too Tall]

Super pleased for Trea. Just reward for all he has been through. Agree, he is not a match for Orioles going froward. Can see (just an uneducated guess) a team like the Nationals taking a flyer on him. Wish him the best - unless he's playing against the O's.

[rm5678]

11 hours ago, Tony-OH said:

That was certainly his highlight with the Astros during the playoffs. 

He didn't play very well for the Astros for some reason, but I'm happy for him. Couldn't happen to a better guy. 

While Trey obviously didn't hit well in the postseason, at least he can say that he got a hit in the World Series, an RBI in the World Series, and made a game-saving defensive play in the World Series. 

Edited November 8, 2022 by rm5678

[Frobby]

11 hours ago, Tony-OH said:

You bring up some good points, but the age factor and the fact he has the skill set of the kind of player that typically declines earlier than others would concern me if I were an GM. I don't think he's the guy we saw in Houston, but it would not surprise me if he's not a low .700 OPS locked into a first base defensively going forward. 

Yes, I agree with you (and Drungo) that age is a factor now.  Hopefully, he can eke out a few productive years before any big decline, but he’s certainly at risk.  

[OriolesMagic83]

Mancini is a great guy.  Glad to see him get a ring.  I hope he gets a good free agent contract.  I just don't see the fit with the O's.