Jon Morosi of MLB Network named the Philadelphia Phillies as a fit for Baltimore Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins. So far this season, Mullins has a .229/.340/.435 line with seven home runs and 21 RBI in 37 games. He also has a 126 wRC+, a .345 wOBA, and a .253 BABIP, with a 21.6% strikeout rate as well as a career-best 13.1% walk rate this year. Mullins is currently slated to become a free agent after this season, and the Orioles appear to be non-competitive, at least early on. Morosi is correct in his stance that Mullins will probably be traded at this year’s deadline. The Phillies looked to trade for an outfielder during the offseason to improve center field.
Will Cedric Mullins be moved at this year’s Trade Deadline?@jonmorosi | #MLBCentral pic.twitter.com/hWDmnhdICF
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) May 12, 2025
This position has been a need for the Phillies for some time now. Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas currently platoon in center field. Marsh has a .193/.288/.298 line with one home run and eight RBI in 23 games. He also has a 68 wRC+ and a .269 wOBA with a .263 BABIP. For comparison, Rojas has a .284/.329/.378 line with one home run and 11 RBI in 28 games, along with a 97 wRC+ and a .312 wOBA with a .392 BABIP. The Phillies have a collective .631 OPS and 77 wRC+ from the center field position in 2025. That ranks 23rd in both categories among the 30 major league teams. Regardless of how it happens, the Phillies need to improve here.
Orioles Outfielder Cedric Mullins Considered Potential Fit for Phillies
Why This Move Would Make No Sense
Positionally, Mullins is a fit but the Phillies lineup is already filled with left-handed hitters. Mullins is a good player and would not need to be platooned. However, with a top of the lineup that has three left-handed hitters in the first four spots, having a fifth left-handed batter in the base lineup all the time is not the best idea. While the lineup generally features five left-handed hitters against right-handed starting pitchers, the addition of Mullins would expand that to against left-handed starting pitchers as well. Bryson Stott tends to get more of his off days when the Phillies are facing a left-handed starter, but this lineup is still already maxed out in that area.
Noteworthy Statistics
Mullins has reverse splits this season, which is notable. He has a .922 OPS and a 171 wRC+ against lefties, but only a .716 OPS and a 108 wRC+ against right-handers this season. This is very different from players like Stott and Marsh, who have been platooned because of their struggles against left-handed pitchers. Mullins has a .683 OPS and a 92 wRC+ in his career against left-handed pitchers as a left-handed batter. Meanwhile, he has a .784 OPS and a 118 wRC+ in his career against right-handed pitchers while batting from the left side of the plate.
Other Considerations To Factor In
Unless Marsh is included in the package, trading for Mullins does not make much sense from a roster construction standpoint. Justin Crawford could be in the majors at some point this season. Crawford, like Marsh and Mullins, is a left-handed hitter. Rojas would see his playing time dwindle if Mullins is traded to the Phillies. It is worth noting that Rojas has two minor league option years available. Marsh being traded for Mullins could open a path for Crawford to be the Phillies center fielder in 2026. Mullins is a pending free agent and would probably not receive a contract extension. While the Phillies do need outfield help, trading for Cedric Mullins is not the answer.
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