Phillies Tipped to Land $56 Million Slugging Center Fielder in Major Trade
The Philadelphia Phillies currently boast the best record in Major League Baseball after the first third of the season, continuing their recent run as one of the league’s top teams. However, despite a standout regular season last year, they managed just one playoff win before being eliminated by the New York Mets—a stark reminder of how tough postseason success can be.
Learning from that early exit, the Phillies may look to strengthen their roster at the trade deadline, particularly by adding power to the outfield. Jim Riley of BALLCAP Sports predicted the Phillies could swing a major deal for outfielder Cedric Mullins of the Baltimore Orioles to bolster their lineup for October.
“It’s going to be a brutal road through the National League playoffs. Philly can’t afford any weak spots,” said Riley. “I expect them to be aggressive—I like the fit with Mullins.”
Riley also mentioned that the Orioles, who could become sellers by the deadline, might shop Mullins to other contenders like the Dodgers or Guardians. Still, a deal with Philadelphia seems especially fitting, given the Phillies’ underwhelming production in center field from Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas. Mullins, batting .226/.320/.446 with 10 home runs so far, would be a notable offensive upgrade.
Because Mullins is heading into free agency and is projected to command a $56 million contract per Spotrac, the Orioles might be willing to trade him for modest prospects. For the Phillies, adding a player of his caliber without gutting their farm system could be the kind of savvy move needed to convert regular season dominance into postseason glory.
Leave a Reply