The Philadelphia Phillies are rolling, while the Baltimore Orioles are reeling. Each team came into the 2025 season with championship aspirations, and while the Phillies now own the best record in their league, the same cannot be said about the Orioles.
The two clubs have a recent history of swinging trade deadline deals with each other, and the trajectory that they're on is setting up for a trade that makes too much sense.
The Phillies are MLB's hottest team, having passed the New York Mets for first in the NL East, thanks to them taking advantage of their light May schedule. The team is thriving even through adversity, which they faced when closer José Alvarado got suspended 80 games for violating MLB's performance-enhancing drugs policy.
A Phillies-Orioles trade for Cedric Mullins looks increasingly likely for both sides
At 16-33, the Orioles are more games under .500 than they have wins, making them obvious sellers at the trade deadline. Despite having young cornerstones like shortstop Gunnar Henderson and catcher Adley Rutschman, Baltimore's last place position in the AL East saw them fire manager Brandon Hyde.
Along with the obvious need for an effective late-inning reliever or two, it wouldn't hurt the Phillies to add to their outfield, and the spiraling Orioles have the perfect candidate for an outfield upgrade in former All-Star Cedric Mullins.
After a rough 2024 season, Mullins has rebounded into becoming a rare bright spot for the 2025 Orioles. Though his average is low at .229, Mullins has an .782 OPS and is leading the team with 10 home runs and 31 RBIs. He's been the largest contributor for a team with a lackluster offense and a putrid 5.75 team ERA.
ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED??? pic.twitter.com/NiMawvxZqH
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) May 20, 2025
This presents the perfect opportunity for the Phillies and Orioles to hook up on a Mullins trade. In exchange for Mullins to bolster their outfield depth, the Phillies could entice Baltimore with young pitching. Even with Andrew Painter being untouchable at the deadline, the Phillies have prospects with brief major league experience in Mick Abel and Seth Johnson.
Last trade deadline, the Orioles sent Johnson and fellow pitcher Moisés Chace to the Phillies in exchange for reliever Gregory Soto. This came shortly after another deal between the teams, with the Seranthony Domínguez and Cristian Pache for Austin Hays swap.
President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski should call the Orioles for outfield help for the second straight year. It remains to be seen where Mullins would play for the Phillies, with center field being crowded with Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas and the left-handed Max Kepler occupying left field.
That's why it's a great thing these teams have a recent history of doing deadline deals, as the better fit for the Phillies may very well be the Orioles' star closer Felix Bautista.