Rays are learning the Cedric Mullins truth the NY Mets discovered the hard way

It’s not usual for the Tampa Bay Rays to pay big money to free agents. “Big” for them is sometimes anything over $5 million. They went out this offseason and made several significant moves including the free agent signing of former New York Mets outfielder Cedric Mullins for $6.5 million this year and a $10 million option for next season that they’ll surely never pay.

Mullins is far down on the list of ex-Mets fans are paying attention to. The loss of Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz in free agency as well as trades of Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil have made us more attentive to them. Mullins, who hit .182 for the Mets and didn’t really provide them with the defense they desire in center field, is off to a rocky start in his return to the AL East.

Cedric Mullins is reminding the Rays why they should stick with what they know best

Mullins is 1 for 21 with a double accounting for his only hit. He has struck out 8 times, has been hit by a pitch, and has yet to draw a walk.

At $6.5 million with a $500K buyout for next year, it’s essentially a $7 million deal. He’s the fourth-highest paid player on the roster with Steven Matz narrowly beating him out.

Matz, in his return to a starting role, hasn’t been much better although he did pick up a win. After 11 shutout innings in spring training, Matz spun 5 in his regular season debut. There were 4 earned runs charged to him in a very blah start against one of his ex-teams, the St. Louis Cardinals.

Without a doubt one of the most unpredictable ball clubs out there when it comes to transactions, the Rays chose Mullins over several other center field options including former Mets prospect Jake Mangum who was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Mangum hasn’t started off his season well either, but 3 for 18 and making the league minimum feels a lot better on the wallets of Rays ownership who’d panic at the mere thought of their phone auto-resetting to including tolls on their GPS.

The Mets learned the hard way what a bad investment Mullins was by sending the Baltimore Orioles three prospects, including Anthony Nunez who has allowed 1 run in his first 4 MLB innings this year while striking out 5. Mullins is sure to break out of his funk and stockpile a few more hits. But at the rate he finished last year with the Mets and has started off this season with the Rays, he’s looking like someone who is 2 for 2 in fooling teams into believing his abilities.