Mets Land Outfielder Cedric Mullins to Fill Center Field Need

By Oliver Wiener August 04, 2025 12:56

The New York Mets have addressed a critical need in their lineup by acquiring veteran outfielder Cedric Mullins from the Baltimore Orioles just before the 2025 MLB trade deadline. This move comes as the Mets seek to solidify center field and add a potent left-handed bat to their roster as they push toward postseason contention.

Cedric Mullins, 30, has spent his entire big-league career with Baltimore before this trade, compiling a career OPS+ of 107 and a notable 15.4 WAR over parts of eight seasons. This 2025 season, Mullins has posted a .229 batting average with a .305 on-base percentage and .433 slugging percentage, equating to a 104 OPS+ in 91 games. He brings speed to the table with 14 stolen bases and has hit 15 home runs. While his advanced defensive metrics have been mixed this season Statcast’s Outs Above Average rates him positively in center field but Defensive Runs Saved rates him as the league’s worst center fielder Mullins is still regarded as a valuable defender capable of making crucial plays, particularly in corner cases and at the wall.

The Mets traded three right-handed pitching prospects Raimon Gómez, Anthony Nuñez, and Chandler Marsh to the Orioles in exchange for Mullins. Gómez, one of the knockouts in the deal, is known for his power arm that has topped 104 mph but has struggled with control, promising intriguing upside with refinement. Nuñez has emerged as one of the Mets’ top minor-league bullpen arms with an elite slider and solid strikeout rates, while Marsh, an undrafted free agent, has performed well in the High-A levels .

Mets' General Manager David Stearns emphasized the strategic nature of the trade, highlighting the team’s need to improve its offensive production in center field. The Mets had struggled offensively in center with a collective .602 OPS, one of the lower marks in the league this season. Mullins, with his 105 OPS+ this year compared to Tyrone Taylor’s struggling 60 OPS+, represents a significant upgrade at this key position. The move also offers lineup flexibility; it is expected that Jeff McNeil may shift back to the infield, while playing time for Taylor could decrease.

On-field impact aside, Mullins expressed excitement and optimism about his new opportunity. “Joining the Mets feels like a perfect fit for my skill set and championship aspirations,” Mullins said shortly after the trade announcement. “I’m eager to contribute to a team with serious World Series ambitions.” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza also praised the acquisition, noting, “We’ve added a dynamic player who blends speed, power, and defensive ability in center. Mullins gives us a weapon on both sides of the ball that will make us tougher in close games.”

While Mullins has performed better against left-handed pitching this year posting a career-best .866 OPS against southpaws his overall months have been uneven, with a slow May and June but a resurgence in July including multiple multi-hit games in the last week. Defensively, though his metrics have declined slightly with age, he still ranks as a reliable everyday center fielder with a strong reputation for base running and athleticism.

This trade marks the Mets’ final major deadline move in 2025, coming after they upgraded their bullpen with key additions like Ryan Helsley, Tyler Rogers, and Gregory Soto without sacrificing top-tier prospects. By leveraging depth in pitching prospects, the Mets have balanced present competitiveness with future organizational health.

In summary, the Mets’ acquisition of Cedric Mullins fills a glaring need in center field while adding an experienced, versatile, and athletic player who can impact games both offensively and defensively. As the team strengthens its roster for the playoff stretch, Mullins' blend of speed, power, and experience presents a promising solution for New York’s outfield challenges.