NEW YORK (AP) — Turning their attention to offense, the New York Mets acquired center fielder Cedric Mullins from the Baltimore Orioles for three minor league pitchers before the Major League Baseball trade deadline Thursday.
The last-place Orioles received right-handers Raimon Gómez, Anthony Nunez and Chandler Marsh.
The speedy Mullins gives the Mets an all-around upgrade in center, where Tyrone Taylor was playing terrific defense but providing little offense. Versatile veteran Jeff McNeil has also
been getting starts in center because of his bat, but he has much more experience at second base and the corner outfield spots.
The 30-year-old Mullins, an All-Star in 2021, can become a free agent this fall. He's batting .229 with 15 homers, 49 RBIs, 14 stolen bases and a .738 OPS in 91 games this season — but his numbers have picked up dramatically of late. The left-handed hitter batted .290 with three homers, seven doubles and an .868 OPS in July.
It was the second trade in seven days between the Orioles and Mets, who obtained left-handed reliever Gregory Soto from Baltimore for a pair of minor league pitchers last Friday.
New York went all-in on a bullpen makeover Wednesday, landing All-Star reliever Ryan Helsley from St. Louis and right-hander Tyler Rogers from San Francisco in separate deals that cost the Mets six players.
Helsley and Rogers also are eligible for free agency after this season.
New York, which leads the NL East by a half-game over rival Philadelphia, then moved to improve its everyday lineup Thursday with the deal for Mullins.
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