The Philadelphia Phillies have posted Major League Baseball’s top record through the first third of the season, continuing their strong run as one of the league’s elite teams.
However, despite a stellar regular season last year, they managed only one playoff win before being knocked out by the New York Mets — a reminder of how difficult it is to carry success into the postseason.
With that lesson in mind, the Phillies may be aiming to bolster their roster before the trade deadline. Jim Riley of BALLCAP Sports has predicted that they’ll look to add offensive firepower to their outfield, specifically targeting Cedric Mullins of the Baltimore Orioles.
“It’s going to be a brutal October,” Riley said. “Getting through the National League playoffs is going to be a serious challenge. You can’t afford any weak spots. I expect Philly to be aggressive — Mullins would be a great fit.”
Riley also mentioned that the Orioles, who appear likely to sell at the deadline, could trade Mullins to contenders such as the Dodgers or Guardians. Still, the Phillies seem like a logical destination, given their struggles with offensive production from center fielders Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas.
Mullins has posted a .226/.320/.446 slash line with 10 home runs so far this season and would offer a much-needed boost to the lower part of Philadelphia’s batting order.
Since Mullins is entering free agency after the season and is projected to seek a \$56 million contract (according to Spotrac), the Orioles might be open to trading him for a modest return, making the deal more feasible for the Phillies.
As Philadelphia eyes a deep postseason run and a potential World Series title, this kind of move could be exactly what they need.
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