With just nine days until the 2025 trade deadline, the Baltimore Orioles are shifting their strategy toward selling players, reflecting the disappointing season they have endured so far. General Manager Mike Elias confirmed over the weekend in a radio interview that the team is preparing to move pieces ahead of the deadline. The key question remains which players will be traded and what return Baltimore might receive in exchange, as the team looks to rebuild while managing a frustrating year.

Cedric Mullins’s Status in the Trade Market

Among the Orioles’ roster, one player emerging in trade speculation is center fielder Cedric Mullins. Earlier in the season, Mullins appeared poised to build on his previous success, shattering expectations with a strong April performance that sparked calls for a contract extension. Fans and analysts alike hoped for a repeat of his 30 home run/30 stolen base potential, celebrating him as a cornerstone of the franchise.

However, Mullins’s numbers have sharply declined since May. Over 54 games, he has hit just .187/.234/.348, including a stint on the injured list. His performance metrics tell a challenging story, as he now holds a negative bWAR despite a slightly more favorable 0.8 fWAR. This drop in production makes it unlikely Mullins will command a top-tier prospect return at the trade deadline, complicating Baltimore’s ability to capitalize fully on his value.

The Market’s View on Mullins Amid Contending Teams’ Needs

The trade outlook depends largely on how other teams perceive Mullins’s potential contributions, rather than his past achievements or importance to the Orioles. Because Baltimore is clearly in a seller‘s position, other clubs will focus on whether Mullins’s current and projected output can upgrade their center field situation.

Fortunately for the Orioles, several playoff contenders are struggling in center field, creating opportunities despite Mullins’s slump. Projection systems like ZiPS forecast that Mullins will maintain batting averages around .235/.307/.404 for the rest of the season with about seven home runs, far from stellar but possibly an upgrade for contenders desperate for center field improvements. Though such production will not fetch elite prospects, it should still generate meaningful trade interest.

Potential Suitors with Center Field Challenges

Among teams near playoff contention, the New York Mets have been notably weak in their center field performance, posting a .220/.282/.326 batting line heading into Monday’s games. Tyrone Taylor, the Mets’ primary center fielder, has struggled at the plate with a .572 OPS, though he shows slightly better defensive metrics than Mullins. Still, New York has limited commitment to Taylor, a 31-year-old in his second arbitration year, and may seek upgrades if given the chance.

Had Mullins maintained his earlier form, Baltimore might have sought a top prospect from the Mets’ Triple-A rotation, which includes pitchers Blake Tidwell and Jonathan Santucci. Instead, it now appears the Orioles would consider whichever of these two Elias favors, signaling tempered expectations for the return.

Similarly, the St. Louis Cardinals face their own trouble in center field, especially with power numbers. Victor Scott II’s struggles at the plate, managing only a .330 slugging percentage and weak strikeout rates from the team’s center fielders, have not been offset enough by strong defensive value.

Philadelphia Phillies face problems as well, with center field snaps split between Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas. Their combined batting line sits at .237/.299/.321, and the Phillies have only hit three home runs in center field this season. Defensive weaknesses elsewhere on the field add further urgency, but replacing Marsh with Mullins could prove difficult because of Marsh’s recent solid performance—posting 3+ WAR over the past two years at only age 27.

Detroit Tigers also feature in this discussion, despite Javier Báez being their All-Star starting center fielder before transitioning back to the infield. Prospect Parker Meadows is currently filling center field but has underperformed at the plate. Matt Vierling, another part-time center fielder, has also struggled offensively. These gaps indicate the Tigers might explore options at center field, though they may question whether Mullins’s offense is enough to merit a trade.

The Tampa Bay Rays suffer from underwhelming offense in center field too. Kameron Misner, the initial starter, has been mostly replaced by Chandler Simpson, whose prolific speed has helped him maintain a batting average above .300 despite a low slugging percentage. The Rays seem unlikely to bench Simpson in favor of Mullins, viewing him as a player with the skill set Orioles fans hope to see in prospect Enrique Bradfield Jr.

What the Trade Deadline Holds for Cedric Mullins and the Orioles

The 2025 trade deadline is shaping up as a critical moment for the Orioles as they seek to convert struggling assets like Cedric Mullins into future value. Mullins’s declining production has tempered his market potential, yet teams desperate for center field upgrades may still offer returns that help Baltimore build toward future competitiveness.

Mike Elias and the Orioles front office face a delicate balance, weighing immediate returns against uncertain upsides. While the trade market might not yield blockbuster prospects for Mullins, acquiring solid players or draft capital could be vital steps in reshaping the roster. For contending teams with weak center field options, Mullins represents a risk worth considering, even if his best days appear behind him.

In the coming days, watching how the trade market for Mullins unfolds will provide a clearer sense of Baltimore’s direction and the potential changes in center field across the league as teams attempt to shore up their weaknesses before the postseason push.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. Did Cedric Mullins have a baby?

A. In 2024, Mother’s Day had a special significance for the Orioles’ center fielder. Mullins’ wife, Erika, became a mother in December 2023 with the birth of their first child, a daughter named Maliah. Mullins, who was 30 years old, and his wife have started understanding the difficulties that come with being parents.