For the New York Mets, finding help on offense at the trade deadline is an interesting proposition.
In general, the Mets' offense has been good, and they expect it to be better. Juan Soto's numbers have been bad by Juan Soto's standards, and New York hopes catcher Francisco Alvarez will eventually come around too.
The only position that stands out as a negative offensively is center field, where Jose Siri has been hurt all season and Tyrone Taylor has struggled. Taylor's defense makes him a valuable asset, but finding a better bat in his spot could be a worthy objective.
To accomplish that objective, one baseball writer sees New York going after a former Baltimore Orioles All-Star.
On Monday, Andres Chavez of Empire Sports Media proposed Orioles center fielder Cedric Mullins as a potentially realistic trade candidate for the Mets, as the 30-year-old will hit free agency this winter.
"The Mets need more than a placeholder — they need a spark. Enter Cedric Mullins," Chavez wrote. "The Baltimore Orioles’ former All-Star is exactly the kind of two-way threat the Mets could benefit from.
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"When healthy, Mullins is a game-changer. A 30-30 player just a few years ago, he’s once again performing well in 2025, with a 121 wRC+, 10 home runs, and eight stolen bases already on the books. That kind of production from the center field spot would represent a massive upgrade."
"Game changer" might be a little strong, but Mullins is undoubtedly the kind of hitter who lengthens a lineup. Putting an above-average bat like his in the sixth or seventh slot ramps up the pressure for opposing pitchers and makes everyone better around him.
There are a lot of ifs here because Mullins isn't currently healthy. But one could easily envision the Mets going after him if he's looking like his usual self by mid-July.
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