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Jesse Rogers
The New York Mets acquired center fielder Cedric Mullins from the Baltimore Orioles for three prospects Thursday.
Mullins, 30, is set to be a free agent after this season. He’s hitting .229 with 15 home runs and a .738 OPS in 91 games for Baltimore, where he has spent the entirety of his eight-year career.
The Mets had been looking for an upgrade at the position, as their center fielders rank 27th with a .602 OPS this season and have combined for just four home runs, which is tied for the fewest in MLB with the Astros, Rays and Phillies.
New York leads the National League East by a half-game over rival Philadelphia.
The Mets were in conversations with the Chicago White Sox about LUIS ROBERT JR. but landed on Mullins, who is a switch hitter.
The move should allow Jeff McNeil to spend more time in the infield for New York.
Going back to Baltimore are Single-A pitchers Raimon Gomez and Chandler Marsh along with Double-A pitcher Anthony Nunez.
Mullins contributes in a number of ways, including with speed and excellent defense. He made a spectacular leaping, backhanded catch well above the wall in his Orioles finale to rob the Blue Jays‘ Ali Sanchez of a home run Wednesday.
He needs one stolen base to post his fifth consecutive season of 15 home runs and 15 steals, which would tie Jose Ramirez and Randy Arozarena for the longest active streak. Ramirez and Arozarena have already extended their streaks this season.
Mullins’ 30-30 campaign in 2021 was a bright spot during a terrible season in Baltimore, and he remained a factor as the Orioles reached the playoffs in 2023 and 2024.
New York went all-in on a bullpen makeover Wednesday, landing All-Star reliever Ryan Helsley from St. Louis and right-hander Tyler Rogers from San Francisco in separate deals that cost the Mets six players.
ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel contributed to this report.
