Cedric Mullins wasn’t in Friday’s starting lineup after arriving not long before first pitch, but he still found himself with a chance to make an impact.
After he wasn’t used as a pinch-hitter for Tyrone Taylor in potential spots in the fifth and eighth innings, Mullins came to the plate with two outs and no one on in the bottom of the ninth of a tie game.
He popped out to end the inning, and the Mets ended up losing 4-3 in 10 innings.
The Mets have hopes of getting more out of center field than they have for most of the season, especially after Jose Siri was lost to a broken leg.
Prior to the game, Carlos Mendoza said the 30-year-old Mullins would “get a lot of playing time there.”
But the manager also added that Taylor, in center again Friday, would continue to get time at the position, as would Jeff McNeil.
Still, the Mets got enough of a look at the Taylor/McNeil pairing in center that they decided to go ahead with the Mullins trade.
“I watched this guy play [for] a lot of years,” Mendoza said of Mullins. “Defensively, offensively, whether it’s hitting for power, running the bases … going first to third, getting a bunt down, cutting a ball [off] in the outfield. There’s a lot behind the numbers he does well. He’s a really good player.”
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To make room for Mullins on the roster, Luisangel Acuña was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse. Acuña had appeared in just six games, with three plate appearances, since July 21.
McNeil was back at second base for the first time in two weeks Friday, with Mark Vientos at third base and Brett Baty on the bench.
Mendoza said he hoped the playing time situation would create “healthy competition” among the young infielders.
“It’s been that way a long time,” the manager said. “There’s a reason why they’re here. We believe in them, and they’ll continue to help us win baseball games. … We’re counting on all of them.”
And Taylor will stick around, as well, at least for now.
Mendoza said Taylor would continue to get playing time — although it would decrease — and the Mets still value his defense.
Taylor has provided excellent defense but had an OPS of just .278 over his previous 29 games.
Mullins had been up and down with the Orioles this season, but the lefty hitter has hit left-handed pitching better than usual.
His defensive metrics are lacking, with Fangraphs rating him the worst among center fielders with enough playing time, with -14 defensive runs saved, but Mullins is in the middle of the pack according to Baseball Savant.
Mendoza praised Mullins’ “jumps, routes [and] speed.”
But he acknowledged the shaky defensive numbers.
“There are years where it feels like, ‘Man, that’s weird he graded so low defensively,’ ” Mendoza said. “I’ve watched this kid play … and he’s a pretty elite defender out there. He’s a natural there. I’m not worried about numbers because I’ve seen this guy play and he’s pretty good out there.”
Mullins said being moved prior to Thursday’s trade deadline was “somewhat to be expected,” since the Orioles are in last place in the AL East and he’s a free agent following this season.
“I didn’t know where it might be,” Mullins said of how he viewed a trade prior to the deadline. “New York is a great place to land. It’s a good fit.”
And he noted the feeling with the Mets is similar to that with the Orioles the past few years, including entering what became a wildly disappointing 2025 at Camden Yards.
He said his goal in Queens is “bringing a ring back to the city. That’s what it’s all about.”