The Tampa Bay Rays signed outfielder Cedric Mullins to a one-year, $7 million deal, adding a former All-Star who’s looking to bounce back from a rough 2024 campaign.
Rays, OF Cedric Mullins agree to 1-year deal, per multiple reports including MLB's @Feinsand. pic.twitter.com/VfmQ3hCjBo
— MLB (@MLB) December 3, 2025
It’s the kind of move Tampa Bay makes every winter. They’re not throwing around big money, but they’re finding value where other teams might not look twice.
Mullins is entering his age-31 season coming off what might’ve been his worst stretch as a big leaguer. After Baltimore traded him to the Mets at the deadline, he posted a brutal .565 OPS across 42 games in Queens. That’s a far cry from his 2021 breakout when he joined the 30/30 club and racked up six wins above replacement.
The contract suggests Tampa Bay views this as a reclamation project. They did something similar last year with Danny Jansen – signed him cheap, gave him a shot, then flipped him to Milwaukee when it wasn’t working out.
But there’s more upside here than you might expect.
The Rays Had Real Outfield Problems
Tampa Bay’s outfield was a mess offensively in 2024. They ranked bottom five in OPS (.663) and wRC+ (85), while managing just 29 home runs as a group – dead last in baseball.
Mullins has hit at least 15 homers in each of his last five seasons. He’s not the guy who clubbed 30 in 2021, but he’s still got pop.
There are some encouraging signs from his down year too. He stole 20+ bases for the fourth time in his career and posted a career-high 10% walk rate. Maybe most importantly, he actually hit lefties well – something that could make him valuable in a platoon role.
The defense was just as concerning. Tampa Bay’s outfield posted -9 outs above average and -12 fielding run value, both bottom-ten marks. Mullins remains an above-average center fielder with the speed to cover ground.
More Than a Flip Candidate?
Sure, this could end up being another sign-and-trade situation if the Rays aren’t contending come July. They love flipping expiring contracts for prospects.
But Mullins still has the athleticism that made him special earlier in his career. The stolen bases and defensive metrics show that. If Tampa Bay can help him find his swing again, they might have something more than a trade chip.
The Rays haven’t made the playoffs since 2023, and they’re not exactly loading up with big signings. What they’re doing is finding players like Mullins – guys with pedigree who are available at a discount.
At $7 million for one year, it’s exactly the type of bet Tampa Bay loves to make. Low risk, potential high reward, with an easy exit strategy if it doesn’t work out.
