MLB Trade Rumors: 3 Teams Are Top Trade Destinations for Cedric Mullins

The Baltimore Orioles will be one of the few certified sellers at the trade deadline next week, and they have quite a few candidates on the roster who could go.

One of those is longtime centerfielder Cedric Mullins. The 30-year-old continues to contribute with his speed and defense, though his hitting is down this season. He does have 13 homers, but is batting just .216 with a .698 OPS and a 96 OPS+, his first time below league average since becoming a regular five years ago.

Nevertheless, he contributes with enough skills that he can help a team in a lot of ways. Scouts still remember that 30-30 season (HR/SB) in his All-Star year of 2021.

The following three destinations would seem to be the best fits for Mullins:

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies have been named as a pursuer of any strong outfield trade candidate, including Jarren Duran, and now Mullins. And it's no wonder, as they are perennially in the market to improve their outfield, especially in center. They are dead last in all of baseball with just three home runs from their CF spot this season, and 27th in slugging. Mullins could help with that, and give them a legitimate full-time centerfielder for the first time in a long time.

New York Mets

The Mets are battling the Phillies tooth-and-nail for top spot in the NL East, and they could do the same in the boardroom over the Mullins trade discussions. The Mets, too, are in need of a centerfield upgrade. They're 25th in the majors in OPS, average, on-base pct., and slugging out of their CF spot, and tied for second-worst in homers with just four. That's right, Tyrone Taylor is just not getting it done at the dish, although he does provide solid defense.

Detroit Tigers

Parker Meadows was once a top prospect for the Tigers, and he showed some small glimpses of it last year in half a season. But since getting activated in June after a nerve injury, he has not gotten the job done, hitting just .191 with a .543 OPS (OPS+ of just 52) in 34 games. If the Tigers are serious about being a World Series contender this season (and with an AL-best record of 60-41 going into Tuesday's games, why wouldn't they be?), they'll need to shore up that weakness. Mullins would be an upgrade as a proven performer in the past.