Life in Major League Baseball hasn't been kind to former Baltimore Orioles icon Trey Mancini after his trade from the Orioles in 2022. Sure, Mancini won the World Series with the Astros after being traded by the Orioles at the trade deadline in 2022, but in terms of the offensive force he once was with Baltimore, that player hasn't been spotted at the Major League level in quite some time.
Mancini's power made him an anchor in the Orioles' lineup since his rookie season in 2017. After hitting three home runs in a brief five-game stint with the Orioles in 2016, Mancini hit 24 home runs with the Orioles in his first full season in the majors. Mancini's 24 home runs in 2017 marked the start of a four-season run where the first baseman had at least 24 home runs in a season, including 35 in 2019.
Of course, Mancini's triumphant battle against cancer made him a national fan favorite in 2020. His return to Major League Baseball in 2021 was one of the most wholesome moments in baseball history.
Orioles great trying to return to MLB just hit another roadblock
After his time with the Orioles came to an end in 2022, Mancini has struggled to find offensive consistency at the Major League level. Mancini hit under .200 during his time with the Astros and was relegated to a role player by the time Houston reached the World Series. Mancini landed with the Cubs in 2023, but his time in Chicago was limited to only 79 games, given his offensive struggles.
After sitting out the 2024 season, Mancini hit the comeback trail ahead of spring training this year, inking a minor-league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. After a strong spring training, Mancini remained with the Diamondbacks' organization and opened 2025 with their Triple-A affiliate. In the minor this year, Mancini flashed signs of being the slugger he once was with the Orioles, hitting over .300 with 16 home runs. Despite the success, Mancini seemingly didn't have a path back to the Major League level with the Diamondbacks as he opted out of his deal on Tuesday.
Honestly, for Mancini, there could be hope for a reunion with the Orioles. Assuming the Orioles sell at the trade deadline, it would be a certainty that Ryan O'Hearn will be moved. That could open a spot for Mancini's return, and it would be a fitting end to his career--returning to the place where it started and he became a folk hero.