Cedric Mullins #31 of the Baltimore Orioles
The Philadelphia Phillies remain firmly in the mix among the National League’s top contenders.
Their strong start to the season has kept them in the conversation to challenge the Los Angeles Dodgers for NL supremacy. However, a clear weakness in their lineup could hinder their postseason ambitions.
Center field has been a longstanding issue in Philadelphia, and the 2024 campaign has only made it more apparent. Phillies center fielders have combined for just 0.0 fWAR — ranking 26th in MLB — with only two home runs and a .300 on-base percentage.
That production will need to improve if the Phillies hope to make a serious World Series push. Thankfully, one MLB insider believes there’s a potential fix available on the trade market.
On Monday, MLB Network’s Jon Morosi identified Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins as a strong trade target for the Phillies. Mullins is making $8.7 million this year and is set to become a free agent this offseason.
“Cedric Mullins is one of the top position players likely to be moved at the deadline unless the Orioles catch fire,” Morosi said. “The Phillies make a lot of sense as a landing spot.”
Mullins, 30, owns a solid .775 OPS and 124 OPS+ through 37 games in 2024. While he may not be replicating his 2021 All-Star form, he continues to profile as a dependable 3-WAR contributor.
Acquiring Mullins could allow the Phillies to shift Brandon Marsh into a platoon role or potentially trade him to bolster other areas like the bullpen. While Mullins would be a rental, the Phillies are clearly in win-now mode, making the short-term risk worth it.
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