Three potential landing spots for Orioles OF Cedric Mullins

The Baltimore Orioles have been one of the most disappointing teams in Major League Baseball this season.

Fresh off a pair of playoff appearances, they were expected to make another postseason push. Instead, a quiet offseason foreshadowed a campaign in which Baltimore has stumbled to a 37-49 record heading into Friday. Manager Brandon Hyde was fired on May 17, scapegoated for a flawed roster and a lack of urgency in the front office.

The Orioles are likely to be busy as sellers ahead of the July 31 trade deadline, looking to contend again in 2026. Outfielder Cedric Mullins may be their most significant trade chip despite a disappointing .213/.298/.406 batting line with 12 homers and 12 doubles in 283 plate appearances. 

Let's take a look at three potential landing spots for Mullins.

New York Mets

The Mets have gone 5-14 since June 12 as a plethora of injuries to the rotation and a lineup-wide slump have knocked New York out of the NL East lead. Pitchers Sean Manaea and Kodai Senga are expected back next week, which should help stabilize the rotation. However, the lineup still needs attention.

Their most prominent hole on the roster may be in center field. Mets center fielders have combined to hit .228/.288/.342 with 10 homers, even with the hot-hitting Jeff McNeil seeing more time in center. Although Mullins has struggled this season, a change of scenery may be what he needs. Likewise, the Mets need something to jumpstart their offense. Mullins could be that missing piece.

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies may have surpassed the Mets for the lead in the NL East, but they have areas of need on their roster, too. Like New York, Philadelphia center fielders have struggled, producing a .245/.304/.341 batting line with just three home runs on the season.

Acquiring Mullins could have a domino effect on the rest of the Phillies' lineup. Brandon Marsh is capable of playing all three outfield positions and would immediately be one of the best fourth outfielders in the game. Marsh could also shift over to left, taking over for Max Kepler, who has slashed .210/.304/.381 with 10 homers in his first season in Philadelphia.

Houston Astros

Astros general manager Dana Brown has been clear that he is looking to add a left-handed hitter to balance out Houston's lineup. According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, that search includes Mullins, although he did not provide any further details.

Trading for Mullins would allow the Astros to fix one of the biggest mistakes they have made this season. Jose Altuve has proven that he is not a left fielder, as his defense has not translated to the outfield. 

Meanwhile, Houston's second basemen have been an offensive black hole as neither Brendan Rodgers nor Mauricio Dubon has provided much with the bat. Acquiring Mullins would likely shift outfielder Jake Meyers to left and allow Altuve to return to the keystone. The Astros would, in one move, improve their outfield defense and lengthen the lineup.