With the rise of a talented young core—including catcher Adley Rutschman, shortstop Gunnar Henderson, and outfielders Jordan Westburg and Colton Cowser—the Baltimore Orioles looked poised to dominate the AL East for the next decade. However, those hopes are already wavering as the team has stumbled to an 11-17 record, currently sitting at the bottom of the division. If this disappointing start extends into the summer, Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun believes the Orioles could consider trading veteran centerfielder Cedric Mullins.
Meyer speculates that if Baltimore falls out of playoff contention by the trade deadline, the front office—known for its calculated moves—might decide to part ways with Mullins. “I wouldn’t rule anything out given how strategic this front office is,” said Meyer. “If they believe the postseason is out of reach, trading Cedric Mullins is certainly a possibility.”
Mullins, now in his eighth MLB season, is quietly having his best campaign since 2021, when he earned All-Star and Silver Slugger honors while finishing in the top 10 in MVP voting. So far this season, he’s hitting .292 with six home runs and a .983 OPS over 89 at-bats, leading the team in nearly every major offensive category—including hits, doubles, runs, walks, home runs, RBIs, batting average, on-base percentage, slugging, and OPS.
If the Orioles decide to cash in on Mullins’ strong performance, they could attract interest from contenders such as the Detroit Tigers or Philadelphia Phillies.
