NY Mets traded for the wrong Orioles outfielder this season

The New York Mets were in search of another outfielder at the 2025 trade deadline. There were multiple names on the Mets’ radar at the time, but two from the Baltimore Orioles stood out; they were Cedric Mullins and Ramon Laureano. The Mets ended up acquiring Mullins for a three-prospect package. Meanwhile, Laureano was traded to the San Diego Padres (alongside Ryan O’Hearn) for six players. Fast forward to September, and not only did the Mets trade for the wrong Orioles outfielder, but it’s coming back to bite them in the standings.

At the time, Laureano was the better player. He was hitting .290/.355/.529 with 15 home runs throughout his first 290 plate appearances of the season. His 7.6% walk rate, nor his 24.8% strikeout rate, didn’t jump off the page, but his 12.6% barrel rate did. Laureano finished off his tenure with the O’s with an .884 OPS, .376 wOBA, and 176 wRC+, all three of which ranked top ten among outfielders with at least 250 PA’s before the deadline.

Mullins was only putting up slightly above-average numbers prior to the trade. The former All-Star was slashing .233/.305/.433 with 15 home runs as well, but in 355 plate appearances. Mullins walked in 9.6% of his trips to the plate with a 23.9% K%. Mullins put up an isolated slugging percentage just over .200 at .204, but overall, his .739 OPS, .319 wOBA, and 104 wRC+ were a massive step down from Laureano’s production.

The reason the Mets had Mullins higher on their priority list was because of his position. The Mets wanted a center fielder, with Brandon Nimmo and Juan Soto firmly planted in the outfield corners. Laureano hadn’t been a regular in center field since 2020. Mullins, on the other hand, hadn’t played another outfield spot other than center field since 2020. However, it wasn’t like Mullins was doing great up the middle this year. He may have had +2 outs above average, but -15 defensive runs saved with the O’s. Laurano had +7 DRS and -4 OAA in the outfield for the O’s.

Adding Cedric Mullins over Ramon Laureano has hurt the NY Mets in more ways than one

Since the deadline, it’s obvious who has been better. Mullins has only turned in a .188/.294/.277 triple-slash, and 69 wRC+ over 120 plate appearances with the Mets. The only positive is that he has a solid 11.7% walk rate. Meanwhile, Laureano has batted .281/.335/.510 with a 136 wRC+ in 167 trips to the dish since getting traded to the Padres. Laureano has more home runs with the Padres, with eight, than Mullins has extra bases with the Mets, with six in total.

The only major thing the Mets got out of Mullins that the Padres haven’t gotten out of Laureano is defense. Since getting dealt to the Mets, Mullins has -1 DRS and +2 OAA. Laureano, meanwhile, has -1 DRS and -5 OAA while splitting most of his time between left field and center field. But if defense was truly that much of a sticking point for the Mets, they could have utilized Nimmo up the middle more frequently. They could have also put Tyrone Taylor in as a late-inning defensive replacement prior to his injury.

But the Mets aren’t just getting hurt by choosing a below-average hitter in the outfield. Laureano has helped the Padres put a five-game gap between them and the Mets in the last two Wild Card spots. Win probability added truly puts into perspective the sort of Laureano has had on the Padres vs Mullins has had with the Mets. Laureano’s 0.62 mark with the Padres is the fourth best on their team, while Mullins has a -0.58 mark.

The Mets are definitely feeling the pain of choosing Mullins over Laureano. Sure, the lineup may not be the biggest issue, and choosing Mullins for center field isn't the only mistake the Mets made, but Mullins has not been what the Mets likely expected when he was acquired. Meanwhile, Laureano has been a great hitter with the Padres and is helping them make distance between them and the Mets in the standings.