Story byDanny RussellThu, December 4, 2025 at 3:30 PM UTC·3 min readThe Rays made an aggressive move this week, getting out ahead of the bustle and competition of the winter meetings by signing outfielder Cedric Mullins to a one-year, $7 million contract. The move brings a respected veteran presence to a young and fluid outfield group, and marks a meaningful investment in a player whose recent track record suggests both reliability and potential for rebound. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMullins, now 31, arrives with extensive AL East experience after seven and a half seasons with Baltimore and a brief stint with the Mets. While his offensive production has declined since his six-win, 136 wRC+ All-Star campaign in 2021, the Rays appear to be betting that last season’s struggles at the plate were not reflective to his true talent. Tampa Bay has long targeted players with disciplined approaches, and Mullins’ consistently low chase rate over his career, solid bat-to-ball skills, and strong baserunning profile align with what the organization tends to value overall when adding talent from the outside. Add in that he can man center field, and it’s an easy addition that the Rays Your Voice podcast was already championing this off-season. View LinkWhether Mullins becomes the primary center fielder remains an open question.
