Mets find a center fielder in trade with Orioles for Cedric Mullins

Mets Boost Offense with All-Star Center Fielder Cedric Mullins

Baltimore Orioles Send Speedy Outfielder to New York in Trade Deadline Deal

The New York Mets fortified their lineup ahead of the Major League Baseball trade deadline, acquiring center fielder Cedric Mullins from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for three minor league pitchers.

This marks the second trade between the two teams in a week. Last Friday, the Mets secured left-handed reliever Gregory Soto from Baltimore for a pair of minor leaguers.

Mullins, who boasts impressive speed and defensive prowess, brings much-needed offensive firepower to the Mets' outfield, where Tyrone Taylor had excelled defensively but struggled at the plate. Versatile veteran Jeff McNeil has also seen time in center field due to his batting ability, but he primarily plays second base and corner outfield positions.

The 30-year-old Mullins, an All-Star in 2021, is eligible for free agency this fall. While his overall stats this season stand at .229 with 15 home runs, 49 RBIs, 14 stolen bases, and a .738 OPS across 91 games, he's shown a surge in performance recently. Mullins batted .290 with three homers, seven doubles, and an impressive .868 OPS in July alone.

The Orioles received right-handers Raimon Gómez, Anthony Nunez, and Chandler Marsh in the deal.

In another flurry of activity leading up to the trade deadline, the Mets significantly bolstered their bullpen earlier this week. They acquired All-Star reliever Ryan Helsley from St. Louis and right-hander Tyler Rogers from San Francisco in separate deals that cost them six players.

Both Helsley and Rogers are also eligible for free agency after this season.

The Mets, currently leading the NL East by a half-game over their rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies, have made it clear they're committed to contending for the pennant.