The Philadelphia Phillies currently hold the best record in Major League Baseball as the 2025 season approaches its midway point, continuing their run as one of the league’s top teams. However, their strong 2024 regular season ended in disappointment when they were knocked out of the playoffs by the New York Mets after just one win an early exit that highlighted the difficulty of maintaining success into October.
With that in mind, the Phillies may be eyeing upgrades before the trade deadline, especially to strengthen their roster for a deep postseason push. Jim Riley of BALLCAP Sports has suggested that Philadelphia could look to add a power-hitting outfielder, predicting a potential move for Cedric Mullins of the Baltimore Orioles.
Riley emphasized the tough road ahead in the National League playoffs and believes the Phillies need to eliminate any weaknesses. “October is going to be brutal,” he said. “Philly has to be aggressive I like them to go after Mullins.”
As the Orioles appear headed toward becoming sellers at the deadline, Mullins could also draw interest from contenders like the Dodgers or Guardians. Still, the Phillies make a logical trade partner, especially given the underwhelming offensive output from current centerfielders Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas. Mullins, who’s batting .226 with a .320 on-base percentage, 10 home runs, and a .446 slugging percentage, could provide a boost to the lower part of the Phillies’ lineup.
Additionally, Mullins could come at a relatively low trade cost. With free agency looming and a projected $56 million deal ahead of him, the Orioles may be open to trading him for modest prospects rather than risk losing him for nothing.
As Philadelphia aims to convert regular-season dominance into a championship run, adding a bat like Mullins’ might be the type of move that makes all the difference.
