Cedric

Mullins

The crown jewel of Tampa Bay’s prospect haul from the Astros as part of a three-team swap that also included the Pirates, Melton struggled in his first taste of the big leagues this past season during a brief 32-game cameo where he batted .157 (11-for-70) with 29 strikeouts. Still, the Rays clearly view the 25-year-old as their long-term answer in center field, with veteran Cedric Mullins signed to a one-year deal as a temporary bridge. Neander added that Melton is not terribly far off and will have an opportunity to compete for a spot on the Rays’ season-opening roster next spring. He boasts an enticing power-speed profile for fantasy purposes and his immediate path to playing time feels more likely in the outfield corners which are occupied by Chandler Simpson and Josh Lowe for now. The move to Tampa Bay offering a clean reset — positioning him as a potential core piece of a younger roster rather than a fringe component behind Houston’s veteran-heavy group. He checks in as a borderline top-100 dynasty outfielder with the athleticism and upside to take a meaningful leap if everything clicks in spring training.

The deal, which was agreed to earlier in the week, also includes a $10 million mutual option for the 2027 season with a $500,000 buyout. Yoniel Curet was designated for assignment in a corresponding move to clear a spot on the Rays’ 40-man roster. Mullins should see regular action against right-handed pitching with the Rays in 2026.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the deal will pay $7 million, and the deal is pending a physical. Mullins will rejoin the AL East after spending the second half of 2025 with the Mets, and prior to that was a stalwart in the Baltimore outfield. He’s coming off his worst MLB season by OPS with a .690 mark in his time with Baltimore and New York, but he’s still a solid defensive player with some pop and speed in his profile. He’ll likely play against right-handers with Tampa Bay, but it’s hard to get too excited about his fantasy profile even with a chance of being a 20/20 player in that capacity.

The move qualifies as a bit of a surprise given New York’s proximity to the playoffs, but it doesn’t come as a complete stunner since there was going to be a roster crunch with Tyrone Taylor returning from the injured list. The 30-year-old outfielder made it back from the injured list earlier this month after missing nearly five months with a fractured tibia in his left leg. It’ll be Taylor and Cedric Mullins patrolling center field for the Mets down the home stretch.

If there’s a time to do it, it’s probably with David Peterson, he of the 55% groundball rate, on the mound. Still, weakening the defense to play Starling Marte, rather than Cedric Mullins, against a right-hander doesn’t really seem like an upgrade. Nimmo, the Mets’ primary center fielder from 2020-23, has played eight innings in center over the course of four games this year. He started 22 games in center and 120 in left last year.

The Mets definitely miss Tyrone Taylor at the moment, Mullins was decent enough in his first four weeks with the club, but since Aug. 28, he’s 5-for-49 with one extra-base hit, dropping his season OPS to .693.

Mullins takes a seat for the second straight contest with Jose Siri — who was activated from the injured list after missing nearly five months with a fractured leg — getting the nod to face tough left-hander Cristopher Sánchez in this one. The 30-year-old figures to cede playing time to Siri, especially against southpaws, over the final two-plus weeks.

It’s just a routine day off for the veteran; although, Mullins has really struggled since coming to the Mets, slashing .188/.297/.294 in 26 games with one home run and eight RBIs. He does have six steals over that time, so he continues to provide fantasy value there, but not many other places. Jeff McNeil will start in center field with Starling Marte entering the lineup as the designated hitter.

Taylor seemed to be coming for Cedric Mullins’ job last week, but he didn’t play Saturday or Sunday and this was obviously why. He’s apparently doing better now, so there are no plans to put him on the IL. Mullins is starting in center field for a third straight game today.

Mullins’ home run was his 16th of the season and first since he was acquired by the Mets prior to the trade deadline. The 30-year-old outfielder blasted a solo shot off Quinn Priester in the fourth inning. Mullins’ average is just .225 this year, though he’s hit much better since the beginning of July. He has a .728 OPS and 51 RBI this year.