Free agent outfielder Cedric Mullins agreed to a one-year, $7.5 million contract with a mutual option with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Mullins will receive $7 million in base salary in 2026. The mutual option is worth $10 million and comes with a $500,000 buyout.
Mullins, 31, was an All-Star with the Baltimore Orioles in 2021, but saw his numbers decline in subsequent seasons.
Mullins hit .216 with 17 homers and 59 RBIs in 133 games last season while splitting time with the Orioles and New York Mets. He was traded to New York at the trade deadline and hit just .182 with two home runs and 10 RBIs in 42 games with the Mets.
In his big 2021 season, Mullins hit .291 with 30 home runs and 30 steals. He said on a conference call that he was willing to make the changes necessary to get back to that form.
“I think my determination to come in and make the adjustments necessary to continue to improve as a player was something that Tampa Bay was fully on board with,” Mullins said. “I think they are definitely able to help me in this area.”
Overall, Mullins has a .247 average with 103 home runs, 337 RBIs and 147 stolen bases in 826 career games. He reached the majors with the Orioles in 2018 and hit 101 of his home runs for Baltimore.
Tampa Bay designated minor league right-hander Yoniel Curet to open a 40-man roster for Mullins.
–Field level media
