The Baltimore Orioles had hopes of winning a title going into the season. Rather, they will probably be off the market prior to the MLB trade deadline. The organization will not deal any of its youthful core, but its elderly veterans and players with expiring contracts may be traded. Baltimore’s 22 victories are tied for the third-fewest in baseball.
Cedric Mullins is a good fit for the New York Mets’ requirements and fulfills this criteria. What would it take to add Mullins, who Jeff Passan said was the best trade option the Mets should pursue?
Mets’ potential trade package for Cedric Mullins
Mets receive:Â Cedric Mullins
Orioles receive:Â Nolan McLean (Mets No. 6)
Even though Juan Soto had a poor season, the Mets still lead the National League in victories.
Even if Soto doesn’t start playing well right away, the club may still need some outfield assistance to guarantee their place as contenders this season. The freshly signed right fielder, who is among the finest in MLB, is expected to get back to his previous level of performance and justify the Mets’ record-breaking agreement with him.
The team’s current starting center fielder is Tyrone Taylor. He is only batting.238 while being one of the game’s greatest defensive players. It would be wise for the Mets to acquire a more potent hitting weapon, and Mullins is a rental who meets that need. He has already hit ten home runs since he got off to a great start in April. Along with being a speed danger, he often steals more than 30 bases in a season.
Mullins began to build momentum again before to sustaining a hamstring problem, but he also cooled off in May and is again on the disabled list. The Mets should try to acquire as much talent as they can because they have a greater opportunity than they have ever had to win the World Series this year, especially if Soto gets back to his usual form.
Who besides Cedric Mullins could be moved in Baltimore?
One of the clear trade prospects in Baltimore is Mullins. Despite being in the final year of his contract and above 30, the 2021 All-Star has been a member of the Orioles’ big league roster since 2018.
Mullins is one of the few players who has produced enough this season to merit a respectable trade return, and the Orioles have been one of MLB’s greatest disappointments this year.
Nolan McLean is a guy who would make sense in a trade, but the Orioles can’t expect to get one of the Mets’ top prospects as a rental. He was chosen by the Mets in the 2023 third round and has already advanced to AAA. The Orioles won’t blow everything up since they have enough potential that they probably want to eliminate this season and contend again the next year.
Given that the team is in dire need of pitching assistance, it is therefore tempting to acquire a prospect who is near to the major leagues.
The Orioles have previously expressed interest in McLean. They really selected him in the third round of the 2022 draft, but due to a health issue, they chose not to sign him. Since then, McLean has demonstrated his health, thus the Orioles could be able to re-acquire the Oklahoma State pitcher.
Moving Mullins aside, Ryan O’Hearn also makes sense as a trade option. This season, the Orioles’ top player has been the first baseman. Andrew Kittredge, Seranthony Dominguez, Zach Eflin, and Tomoyuki Sugano are also free agents.
Jackson Holliday, Adley Rutschman, and Gunnar Henderson are just a few of the Orioles’ top prospects from the previous season, but their once-stacked farm system has been reduced by player graduations to the main leagues.
Given that Baltimore has already lost this season, it makes sense to bolster the farm system with players who can help the Orioles contend again the next year.
