Rays Sign Cedric Mullins to One-Year Contract

The Tampa Bay Rays have signed outfielder Cedric Mullins to a one-year contract, as reported by Marc Topkin from the Tampa Bay Times. While specific financial details are not disclosed, the signing aims to rejuvenate Mullins’ performance after a challenging 2025 season. The team will need to make a roster adjustment to accommodate this signing, given they currently have a full 40-man roster.

Cedric Mullins: Career Overview

Cedric Mullins, now 31 years old, has played the majority of his career with the Baltimore Orioles. Known for his versatile skill set, he has demonstrated power, speed, and solid defensive capabilities in center field. Unfortunately, the 2025 season marked a downturn in his performance; it was his least productive year since he became a full-time major leaguer.

Breakout Year and Recent Struggles

In 2021, Mullins had a breakout season, hitting 30 home runs and stealing 30 bases. He achieved an impressive slash line of .291/.360/.518, earning a 136 wRC+ and 6 wins above replacement (fWAR) from FanGraphs. However, his performance has consistently declined since then. Over the past four seasons, Mullins’ home run counts dropped to between 15 and 18 per year. His stolen base totals have remained somewhat stable, generally around 30, although he only stole 19 bases in 2023 due to playing just 116 games.

2025 Season Performance

• Early Success: By the end of April 2025, Mullins had six home runs and a line of .278/.412/.515.
• Later Struggles: From May 1 until season’s end, he struggled significantly, ending with a .216/.299/.391 line.
• Season Recap: His overall performance for 2025 resulted in a 94 wRC+, indicating he was slightly below league average.

Fielding and Defensive Capabilities

While his offensive numbers waned, Mullins remains regarded as an above-average fielder. His metrics in 2021 and 2022 showcased his defensive prowess, with at least 10 Outs Above Average (OAA). However, his recent performances have seen a decline; he finished with -14 DRS (Defensive Runs Saved) in 2025, bringing his career total to -11.

Rays’ Outfield Situation

The Rays experienced challenges in their outfield during the 2025 season, utilizing a range of players, including Chandler Simpson, Jake Mangum, and Josh Lowe. None of these players achieved even league-average offensive outputs. Consequently, Rays’ president of baseball operations Erik Neander has emphasized the need to upgrade the outfield this offseason.

Looking Ahead

The Rays’ financial strategy indicates a conservative approach to spending, especially following a notable decrease in attendance due to moving to a minor league park. They recently opted not to pick up an $11 million club option for pitcher Pete Fairbanks, despite its relatively low cost. Although the Rays are unlikely to pursue high-profile free agents, Mullins represents a potentially wise investment for the team.

As the projected 2026 payroll stands around $77 million, Mullins will likely be a crucial part of the outfield, expected to serve as the everyday center fielder. His experience may also benefit younger players vying for corner outfield positions. The Rays, looking for reclaimed performance, hope Mullins can regain his form in the upcoming season.