Year in and year out, it’s always tough forecasting what the plan is for the Tampa Bay Rays headed into the following season. Although they just came off their second consecutive losing season, the Rays have done a good job of remaining relevant without being big spenders in the offseason. It’s the under-the-radar deals that they take advantage of and get more out of than the same type of deals in larger markets.
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
That is why the recent addition of Cedric Mullins might mean a lot more than what it looks like on the surface. Although he’s only entering his age-31 season, Mullins’s best years are seemingly behind him. He posted six wins above replacement in 2021 while joining the 30/30 club, but has regressed to more of a platoon role in the outfield since. He is fresh off of arguably his worst stretch of play in which he posted a.565 OPS and a 66 wRC+ across 42 games for the Mets after he was traded to them from the Orioles at the most recent trade deadline.
With the deal being $7 million for one year, this looks like more of a “reclamation project” than it does a contender making a move to improve their roster for a potential playoff run. The Rays made a similar deal a year ago when they signed Danny Jansen to a one-year contract. It addressed an area of need for a low price and when it didn’t necessarily work out in their favor, they sent him on his way to Milwaukee at the trade deadline.
This deal with Cedric Mullins could end in the same manner. However, there is some upside here that suggests the Rays believe Mullins can provide a lot more value than what his one-year contract is worth.
The Cedric Mullins contract could be more than just a "prove-it" deal
In 2025, the Rays' outfield lacked a lot of offensive production. Their outfield ranked in the bottom five in OPS (.663), and wRC+ (85), while they only hit 29 home runs as a group which comfortably ranked dead last in baseball. Although Mullins has not reached the same level he hit at in 2021, he has still hit at least 15 home runs in each of his last five seasons. There are a few other encouraging things on his stat line from 2025 that could be meaningful headed into the new year as well. He stole 20+ bases for the fourth time in his career, posted a career high walk rate at 10%, and he actually hit left-handed pitching at an above-average level.
Defensively, the Rays outfield in 2025 wasn’t all that impressive either. Mullins helps to address that as well. The outfield’s -9 outs above average and -12 fielding run value both ranked in the bottom ten of the league. Meanwhile, Mullins remains an above-average defender in center field. Given his current defensive value and speed on the bases, Mullins still has the athleticism he possessed earlier in his career, suggesting his All-Star level days may not be over.
It’s easy to view this deal as a simple sign-and-trade scenario, and it may end up being that if the Rays aren’t in a position to add at the trade deadline or if it’s just not working out for Mullins. The Rays are always looking to flip players on expiring contracts for prospects. However, there is reason to believe the they added Mullins knowing he wouldn’t cost much and that he could in fact be a key piece to them returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2023.