The New York Mets will be looking for ways to add at the trade deadline in July.
Most of the attention will be directed toward addressing pitching, specifically the rotation. However, centerfield is an area where the Mets should be looking for a possible upgrade.
Owner Steve Cohen has shown on multiple occasions that money isn’t an issue for him, and he will pay the luxury tax imposed by the league. With that mentality, the Mets should pursue Cedric Mullins from the Baltimore Orioles.
Through his first 118 at-bats, Mullins is hitting .237 with seven home runs and 21 RBI. Tyrone Taylor, the current center fielder for the Mets, has a slightly higher average. However, Mullins’ OPS is over 100 points higher than Taylor (.815 for Mullins compared to .666 for Taylor).
In a recent article for USA Today, MLB insider Bob Nightengale expressed that teams will be looking to acquire Mullins if the Orioles fall off.
“If the Baltimore Orioles aren’t a contender by the All-Star break, teams will be pouncing on starter Zach Eflin, reliever Seranthony Dominguez and center fielder Cedric Mullins at the trade deadline,” wrote Nightengale.
The Orioles are currently 13-23, last in the American League East, and 7 1/2 games out of first place. Time is running out for them to turn it around, making Mullins expendable.
Mullins is just 30 years old, so the Mets could get several years out of him before either moving him to a corner outfield role or cutting ties entirely. He is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, so while his price tag may increase, the Mets would be paying the price for a rental with a chance to sign him prior to free agency.
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