The Tampa Bay Rays are leaning on a familiar MLB move for 2026: betting on a veteran’s bounce-back. By signing outfielder Cedric Mullins to a one-year, $7 million deal, Tampa Bay hopes a once-elite center fielder can recapture some 2021 magic.
The outfield needed help at the plate and in the field, so they’re hoping Mullins can steady things.
Cedric Mullins to the Rays: A Calculated One-Year Gamble
This agreement, pending a roster move, gives the Rays a potential everyday center fielder at a price that fits their budget. Mullins, now 31, brings experience, athleticism, and some upside to the table.
That’s exactly the kind of player Tampa Bay has chased for years—buy low, hope for a big payoff.
They’re not paying for Mullins’ 2025 numbers. Instead, they’re betting he’s still got something left in 2026.
From 30–30 Star to Reclamation Project
Mullins will always be remembered for that wild 2021 breakout with the Orioles. He became one of the most dynamic threats in baseball, mixing power, speed, and elite range in center.
He hit 30 home runs, stole 30 bases, and slashed .291/.360/.518. That season launched him into the upper ranks of outfielders, setting a bar he hasn’t quite hit again.
From 2022 through 2024, Mullins settled into a more modest but still useful level, hitting .244/.311/.407. The power dipped—about half of what he showed in 2021—but he stayed a credible offensive contributor with 85 steals and a reputation as a tough defender.
2025 Decline Raises Questions the Rays Think They Can Answer
2025 was rough for Mullins, and that’s why he landed on a one-year deal instead of a longer contract. His year split in two: one stretch that teased, another that worried.
Offensive Slump After a Promising Start
He started 2025 swinging well, but after April, things went south. Mullins finished with a .216/.299/.391 line and a 94 wRC+, so his bat landed just below league average.
For a guy who used to thrive at the top of the order, the drop in average and OBP stands out. Power showed up now and then, but not often enough to cover the lack of steady contact.
Defensive Metrics Turn the Wrong Direction
Defense became a problem, too. Mullins, once a plus center fielder with good instincts, saw his metrics tumble in 2025.
Defensive Runs Saved dropped to -14, suggesting he cost his team runs instead of saving them. That’s a tough pill to swallow for someone who built his game on defense.
Is this just a bad year, or the start of a real decline as he hits his 30s? The Rays seem to think their coaching and positioning can coax more out of his glove than the numbers say.
Why Cedric Mullins Fits the Rays’ 2026 Blueprint
Tampa Bay’s outfield issues last season were obvious. Too many at-bats went to guys who couldn’t hit, and the lack of steady production from the grass dragged down an otherwise solid club.
Bringing in Mullins follows their recent pickup of Jake Fraley—another attempt to patch up an outfield that just wasn’t working.
Cost-Effective Upside in a Tight Payroll Environment
With a projected payroll around $77 million for 2026, the Rays were never chasing the top free-agent outfielders. Their playbook is all about value and upside, not big names.
Mullins’ one-year, $7 million deal fits that perfectly. It gives them:
He’s a classic Rays target: imperfect, but with real upside if things break right.
Leadership, Experience, and a Path Back to Impact
Beyond the stat line, Tampa Bay gets more than just numbers with Mullins. At 31, he brings postseason experience and years of AL East battles.
He can help steady a clubhouse that leans on young, emerging talent. Sometimes, you just need someone who’s seen it all before.
If the Rays manage to unlock even a bit of his 2021 magic—lifting his bat above league average and tightening up his defense—this signing could end up looking pretty sharp. And honestly, if it doesn’t work out, the financial risk stays low, so Tampa Bay can move on without much fuss.
Right now, the Rays are taking their shot. Cedric Mullins, center field, one year to show that his best days might not be behind him after all.
Here is the source article for this story: Rays, Cedric Mullins Agree To One-Year Deal
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