The Orioles have traded longtime club staple Trey Mancini to the Houston Astros as part of a three-team deal that also involves the Tampa Bay Rays, the clubs announced Aug. 1.
Mancini is earning $7.75 million this year and has a mutual option worth $10 million with a $250,000 buyout for 2023. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound first baseman/outfielder is hitting .268/.347/.404 with 10 home runs but should be a better fit at Minute Maid Park. He joins a lineup with Yordan Alvarez and Alex Bregman, among others.
The Orioles received right-hander Seth Johnson from the Rays and right-hander Chayce McDermott from the Astros as part of the deal. Johnson, who had a 3.00 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 27 innings this year, is about to undergo Tommy John surgery. McDermott has a 5.50 ERA and 114 strikeouts in 72 innings for High-A Asheville.
Mancini was taken by the Orioles out of Notre Dame in the eighth round of the 2013 MLB Draft and made his major league debut in late 2016. He established himself in the big leagues the next year, hitting .293/.338/.488 with 24 home runs in 2017.
Mancini had a career year in 2019, hitting .291/.364/.535 with 35 home runs.
Mancini missed the entire 2020 season due to colon cancer surgery and treatment. The 2020 Mo Gaba Sportsperson of the Year explained his recovery process to PressBox, from surgery to chemotherapy to his relationship with Gaba.
Mancini’s story went national during the Home Run Derby as part of the 2021 All-Star Game festivities in Colorado. Mancini finished second to Mets slugger Pete Alonso in the contest.
Mancini’s trade opens the door for younger players like Triple-A Norfolk outfielders Yusniel Diaz and Kyle Stowers to get looks in the second half of the season.
Photo Credit: Colin Murphy/PressBox