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The Baltimore Orioles have struggled tremendously this season. Instead of contending and looking like buyers ahead of the trade deadline, they’re struggling and look to be sellers.
With that in mind, somebody like Cedric Mullins has gained a bit of steam as a trade chip. There are expected to be few outfielders on the market, so a trade involving Mullins might net the Orioles a good return.
The Athletic’s Jim Bowden recently spoke to Mullins as a potential trade deadline piece. Bowden even linked the Philadelphia Phillies to a huge trade for Mullins and closer Felix Bautista.
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“Mullins, 30, is an impending free agent who could be available on the thin outfield market,” Bowden wrote. “He is having a down year, batting just .214 with a 99 OPS+, but does have 12 homers and eight stolen bases and remains an elite defensive center fielder. A trade sending Mullins and Bautista to the Phillies could be a great fit for Philadelphia, which would have to give Baltimore a strong prospect package to make that hypothetical deal work.”
This hypothetical deal is exactly what the Phillies need, and they have the prospect capital to make it happen. Philadelphia’s closer, Jose Alvarado, is suspended for half the season and the postseason. Beyond Alvarado, the bullpen struggles a bit either way.
Placing Mullins in the outfield would be solid for the surging Phillies, too.
For Baltimore, it would largely depend on the prospect return. If the Orioles can land Mick Abel alongside two or three other marquee prospects, this deal could make sense for both sides.
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