The Cubs have given David Ross another right-handed veteran option for the lineup.

The team agreed to terms on a deal with free agent first baseman and designated hitter Trey Mancini on a two-year, major-league contract. To make room on the 40-man roster, left-handed pitcher Anthony Kay has been designated for assignment. 

Mancini, 30, was a World Series champion in 2022 with the Houston Astros after he was acquired via trade from the Baltimore Orioles. Mancini was the 2021 American League Comeback Player of the year after missing the 2020 season after a cancer diagnosis. Mancini is a lifetime .265/.330/.457 hitter with 125 home runs and a 111 weighted runs created plus over his 6-year career, all but the last few months with Baltimore.

In 2022, Mancini hit .239 with a .710 OPS, 18 homers and 63 RBI with the Orioles and Astros.

Mancini’s addition gives the Cubs a veteran bat and Ross another platoon option at first base alongside fellow newcomer Eric Hosmer.

The Cubs could then use Patrick Wisdom — who played a lot of first base at the end of 2022 — at his natural third base and mix and match Zach McKinstry and Christopher Morel at the hot corner, depending on matchups.

The addition of the veteran Mancini builds more of a runway for top prospect Matt Mervis to continue to develop at Triple-A without the pressure of competing at first base and not rush him to the majors. 

Mancini becomes the fourth World Series champion to join the Cubs this offseason, following Dansby Swanson, Cody Bellinger and Hosmer. The Cubs also re-signed Drew Smyly, a 2021 World Series champion with the Braves, this offseason.

Like Hosmer and Dansby Swanson, Mancini has been lauded for his clubhouse presence and leadership.

Kay, 27, was claimed off waivers from Toronto in December and had a 5.48 ERA in 28 games across 4 major-league seasons with the Blue Jays.