Phillies Should Inquire on Orioles Center Fielder Mullins

The Orioles are reportedly listening to offers on Mullins. The Philadelphia Phillies should be first in line.

Kade Kistner | Nov 27, 2021

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia Phillies have been looking for center field help after moving on from Odúbel Herrera and not having an established center fielder waiting in the wings.

One of the Phillies' rumored targets, Starling Marte, just signed with their National League East rivals the New York Mets. With just a few impact players left on the market, a trade could be in the cards.

MLB Insider Jon Heyman has reported that the Baltimore Orioles would listen to offers on center fielder Cedric Mullins and listed the Phillies as one of the potential suitors.

Baltimore Orioles Center Fielder Cedric Mullins / Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Mullins slashed .291/.360/.518 with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases. His 30/30 season was the only one in the 2021 MLB season. However, 2021 was his breakout season as he has not come close to those numbers in his big league career which began in 2018.

If Baltimore does indeed listen to offers on Mullins, they should garner plenty of interest. His bat in the 2021 MLB was prolific, but his defense was less so. He was still seen as an average center fielder based on his Defensive Runs Saved. The Phillies have also been connected to Bryan Reynolds who is seen as a much better defender.

That being said, Mullins would be a massive upgrade to the blackhole in center field the Phillies have experienced over the last few seasons. President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski has specifically called out the need for a leadoff hitter and middle-of-the-order bat.

Mullins would fill two holes: Center field and another big bat in the lineup. He would likely come cheaper than Reynolds, but would still command a prospect like Bryson Stott, Mick Abel, or Logan O'Hoppe.

Regardless, the Phillies have to do something to address the issue. Dombrowski was brought in to be aggressive and it's hard to see him being anything but in his first full winter at the helm. He understands his role and what is at stake.

The trajectory of the franchise may depend on it.

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Published Nov 27, 2021

KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.