The Cleveland Guardians had an amazing second half during the 2025 season. They went 42-25 over 77 games. This included winning 10 games in a row at one point.

They completed one of the best comebacks in history to overtake the Detroit Tigers and win the American League Central. Unfortunately, it was all for naught as they faced off against those same Tigers in the American League Wild Card round and lost to them in three games. Ending their season.

The Guardians were unable to keep the steam in their engine going and fizzled out, and will look to start better in 2026 than they did in 2025.  The Guardians are known as bargain bin shoppers in free agency and will look for any deal they can to add a quality player and maximize their potential.

They have done it consistently, and there is no reason to expect that plan to change this offseason. An important position they need to upgrade and replace is center field, which is why the Cleveland Guardians will sign Cedric Mullins.

*THIS IS A PREDICTION, NOT A REPORT*

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Cedric Mullins Signs With Cleveland Guardians.

Cedric Mullins started his big league career with the Baltimore Orioles and spent seven complete seasons with them until he was traded to the New York Mets at this year’s trade deadline.

Mullins, a Silver Slugger and one-time All-Star, has not lived up to the hype and talent he produced in 2021. The 2022 season was the closest Mullins has come to his All-Star season. Since 2021, he has regressed each year.

However, Mullins is still a quality centerfielder with high upside and a cheap price tag. He is the ideal vision of a center fielder for a smaller-market team like the Cleveland Guardians. 

The Guardians’ everyday centerfielder, Angel Martienz, was not great in 2025. Martinez played in 139 games this year, and he produced a negative 0.7 WAR. Mullins, in a weaker season by his standards, produced a positive 0.5 WAR with more home runs, a better on-base percentage, and a better OPS than Martinez.

Before this season, Mullins had produced more than a 2.6 WAR in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons, and that is the number that the Guardians should be gambling for by signing Mullins.

Potential Cedric Mullins Contract

Cedric Mullins had a down year in 2025, and that will completely affect his compensation in 2026.

If Mullins had an average year, he may be looking at a significant amount of money, but being just 31 off a down year, it is very likely Mullins will be signing a one-year prove-it deal to earn a larger payday next off-season.

Spotrac has Mullins projected to sign a one-year deal worth $6.7 million. If Mullins can produce at least a 2.0 WAR in 2026 for that amount of money, it will turn out to be an absolute steal, especially for a small market team that consistently makes the playoffs with its smaller budget.

To find another win like this is exactly what everyone outside the Dodgers, Mets, and Yankees is looking for.

The worst-case scenario for the Guardians is that Mullins could become a trade piece during the season. Or they ride it out, and he is no longer on the team the following season.

The matter of fact is the Guardians must take some gambles on high upside players who had a rough 2025 season if they wish to make the playoffs again on their limited budget.

Their perfect fit and signing for this is centerfielder Cedric Mullins. When the Guardians make the playoffs again, this will be a big reason as to why they did.