According to MLB Insider Bob Nightengale, the Philadelphia Phillies are set to be one of the “most aggressive” teams as the 2025 MLB trade deadline approaches. The Phillies are purportedly in the market for an outfielder and bullpen help. One of the players the Phillies have been linked to is Baltimore Orioles center fielder Cedric Mullins. The former American League All-Star is likely on his way out of Charm City. Would the Phillies be a good fit and, more importantly, would it make sense of the Fightins?

Related: Names to Keep an Eye on as the MLB Trade Deadline Approaches

About Cedric Mullins

The 30-year-old outfielder is known for this “big time” bat or at least that’s what everyone wants you to believe. 

Mullins is a former 30 homer a season player, he did that in 2021 for the O’s and earned an AL All-Star nod and Louisville Silver Slugger Award for the feat. In fact, 2021 seems to be the high-water mark for Mullins career. That season he slashed a career high .291/.360/.518 with 30 home runs, 59 RBI and a .878 OPS. He also added 37 doubles and 30 stolen bases to his ledger. Since then, his power stats have evened out with an average slash line of .251/.320/.427 with about 20 home runs, 70 RBI, and a .780 OPS over 162 games.

While that seems like an upgrade, incumbent (sometimes) center fielder Brandon Marsh’s 162-game average isn’t too far off from Mullins’. Marsh’s 162-game slash line: .256/.331/.405 with 13 homers and 64 RBI and a .736 OPS. And Marsh is a right-handed bat; Mullins would add another left-handed bat to the Phillies lineup. 

Defensively, the pair is very comparable. Using StatCast’s Fielding Run Value (FRV) metric, Mullins is a slightly better defensive player than Marsh coming in ranked No. 25 of qualified center fielders while Marsh is ranked No. 28. Mullins has an FRV score of 0 to Marsh’s -1. Both are a considerable downgrade from Johan Rojas, the 24-year-old is ranked No. 14 with an FRV score of 3.

So, does Mullins make sense for the Phillies?

Why Cedric Mullins Makes Sense for the Phillies

Even if it was four-seasons ago, it’s extremely hard to ignore the 30-home run season from Mullins. The potential is there to bring a bit more thunder to the Phils lineup especially playing in a hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park. Mullin’s advance stats, particularly barrel %, average exit velocity, and max exit velocity are comparable to his 2021 numbers. It’s possible that The Bank’s short porches – comparable to Oriole Park at Camden Yards before the fences were moved – could allow for an uptick in power from Mullins.

Why Cedric Mullins Doesn’t Make Sense for the Phillies

Mullins hits left-handed and the Phils are already a left-handed heavy lineup. It just doesn’t make sense. Additionally, Mullins will be a free agent at the end of the 2025 season and makes $8.5 million. Adding additional payroll for a player that is only slightly better than the incumbents doesn’t seem likely.

Final Verdict

Mullins isn’t the right fit for the Phillies when compared to Marsh. It wouldn’t make sense to trade assets for a comparable player.

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