Cedric Mullins has a new home for the 2026 MLB season. According to TampaBay.com’s Marc Topkin, the Tampa Bay Rays will sign Mullins to a one-year contract, pending a physical. The 31-year-old center fielder’s contract will be worth $7 million in 2026.
In 2025, Mullins was traded from the Baltimore Orioles to the New York Mets at the MLB Trade Deadline, and it wasn’t a great partnership. Mullins only had a .182 average with the Mets in 42 games, struggling to produce at the plate. Overall, the center fielder finished 2025 with 17 home runs and 59 runs batted in.
Mullins hasn’t been known as an offensive player in MLB, relying on his outstanding defense in center field. The former Oriole has thrived in the outfield, delivering some of MLB’s best catches over the last few seasons. Now, Tampa Bay will add his defense to an outfield that needed plus defenders.
The Rays entered the offseason chasing a shortstop and outfielder, so Mullins fits one of their needs this winter. Tampa Bay hopes that Mullins can be an elite fielder while improving his bat at the plate. If that occurs, Mullins will have a much more lucrative contract on the table next year.
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MLB, NHL writer at Sportsnaut