Mets secure Cedric Mullins through trade deal: Front-runners in NL East bolster outfield with acquisition from Orioles
In a move aimed at bolstering their roster at the trade deadline, the New York Mets have acquired veteran outfielder Cedric Mullins from the Baltimore Orioles. Mullins, who spent his entire professional career with the Orioles, is eligible for free agency this coming offseason.
Throughout his eight big-league seasons, Mullins has amassed an OPS+ of 107 and a WAR of 15.4, with his lone All-Star selection and Silver Slugger award coming in 2021. However, this season, his batting performance has been slightly below his career average, with a .229/.305/.433 (104 OPS+) in 91 games, accompanied by 15 home runs and 14 stolen bases.
Mullins' defensive abilities in center field have been a subject of debate according to advanced metrics. Statcast's Outs Above Averages (OAA) rates him as a plus in center field, suggesting above-average ability to make difficult catches due to good athleticism and speed. This aligns with anecdotal observations and praise from managers, who have noted impressive, highlight-reel catches.
On the other hand, traditional defensive metrics paint a less favorable picture. FanGraphs’ Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) rated Mullins as the worst defensive center fielder in MLB this season, with a -17 DRS. Baseball Reference’s defensive WAR (dWAR) also gives Mullins a negative value (-1.2 dWAR for 2025), further supporting the view that his overall defensive impact has been below average.
This disparity reflects a nuanced reality: while Mullins has elite range and athleticism enabling some spectacular catches, he sometimes takes inefficient routes and gets suboptimal jumps on balls, limiting his effectiveness as a daily defender. His arm strength is average, further contributing to the mixed evaluation of his defense.
The Mets have primarily been using Tyrone Taylor in the outfield since Jose Siri's injury in early April. Taylor's defense has been effective, but his batting performance (60 OPS+) needs improvement. Mullins' acquisition may help address the Mets' need for improvement in the outfield offense.
Prior to this trade, Mullins had spent his entire professional career with the Orioles, who first drafted him in the 13th round of the 2015 MLB Draft out of Campbell University. For the balance of an $8.73 million salary this season, Mullins is now set to join a Mets team that has significantly improved at the trade deadline, particularly in the bullpen, with the addition of Ryan Helsley, Tyler Rogers, and Gregory Soto.
As the Mets continue their pursuit of a World Series title, the acquisition of Cedric Mullins adds another layer of complexity to their roster, bringing a unique blend of defensive prowess and offensive potential to the outfield.
- The acquisition of Cedric Mullins, a veteran outfielder with an impressive OPS+ of 107 and a WAR of 15.4 over eight professional seasons in MLB, by the New York Mets is expected to bolster their roster in both defense and offense.
- Mullins' defensive abilities have been a topic of debate due to conflicting metrics, with Statcast's Outs Above Averages (OAA) praising his athleticism and speed, while FanGraphs’ Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) rates him as the worst defensive center fielder in MLB this season.
- As the Mets strive for a World Series title, the addition of Mullins, who was drafted by the Orioles in the 13th round of the 2015 MLB Draft, brings a unique blend of defensive prowess, offensive potential, and veteran experience to their outfield, joining a team that has significantly improved at the trade deadline.
