MIAMI — Cedric Mullins is aware of that he hasn’t gained many new followers since being traded to the Mets. He’s heard the boos and he’s seen what persons are saying. In the event you ask the middle fielder himself, he’ll let you know he anticipated extra of himself since coming from the Baltimore Orioles to the Mets on the commerce deadline.
Mullins knew he could be traded from the one crew he’s ever identified when the Orioles acquired off to such a poor begin they fired Brandon Hyde, the 2023 AL Supervisor of the Yr. A 30-year-old veteran, he’s not naive to the enterprise of baseball — enjoying for a shedding crew in a stroll 12 months means you’re on the buying and selling block.
He didn’t count on the transition to be as troublesome because it has been.
Earlier than the commerce, Mullins was already having a streaky season on the plate, however he hit .290 in July with an .868 OPS to bolster his worth available on the market. The Mets needed extra manufacturing out of the middle area spot within the lineup, however they didn’t need to sacrifice the protection.
The membership talked to the Chicago White Sox about Luis Robert Jr., and there was some curiosity in a reunion with Harrison Bader, however he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies. They pivoted to Mullins, who had comparable metrics to Taylor in middle area, however much less positional flexibility. Taylor performs all three outfield positions and makes any of them look straightforward, and McNeil can play all three as effectively, although he’s higher within the corners.
Plus, Mullins has at all times been thought-about a high-character participant. A pacesetter in Baltimore, he was mentored early in his profession by Adam Jones. It appeared like a match.
Not less than till he began enjoying, that’s.
“I think coming in, the guys were great. Very accommodating, and if I needed anything, they were quick to get on the ball, so I really appreciate them for that,” Mullins mentioned. “Then it was just trying to not add additional pressure to myself to try to perform, which I feel like I’ve done a poor job at. I have not played to the level of which I know I can to help the team, so I’m super disappointed in myself.”
Since coming to the Mets, he’s hit simply .183. A 64 OPS ranks him effectively beneath the league common. Mullins needed to indicate Mets followers what he was able to, however behind the scenes, it was troublesome. His spouse, Erika, took care of the logistics, getting settled in a brand new metropolis with their two-year-old daughter, Mariah. He’s grateful that she took care of the whole lot to permit him to play, however he nonetheless felt the must be there for his household in the course of the transition, and assist the place he might.
On the sphere, he was urgent. The Mets have been treading water, and he desperately needed to assist them make one thing occur.
“There have been situations where I’ve caught myself trying to do too much when it wasn’t necessary,” he mentioned. “And there have been situations where I might have over-thought scenarios.”
Final week towards the Washington Nationals, Mullins had two pricey miscues, one within the outfield and one on the basepaths. It was a wierd play. With Luis Torrens on second base, Mullins hit a fly ball down the left area line that seemed to be caught by Daylen Lile. However the left fielder slid into the wall and the ball popped out of his glove. The third base umpire made a protected signal to point the ball was nonetheless in play.
Mullins went again to second to tag up, however then noticed the ball on the bottom subsequent to Lile and went all the best way round to attain. Mullins appeared confused, and stayed at first base. Neither him, nor first base coach Antoan Richardson might hear the decision.
He was then doubled off first base when Francisco Lindor hit a line drive to the primary baseman.
The Mets misplaced each of these video games, and the late-season losses at the moment are coming again to hang-out them.
“It can be difficult just in terms of a complete change in environment and certain expectations for a team to shoot for postseason, and beyond that, the World Series in general,” Mullins mentioned. “It’s tough, in a sense of me trying to take a step back and just kind of soak in the moment because at the same time, it’s a put up or shut up situation. That by itself adds a little bit of pressure.”
Mullins nonetheless thinks he has extra to offer and he hopes he’ll have an opportunity to indicate it if the Mets advance to the playoffs.
“It’s a learning experience, for sure,” he mentioned. “One that I’m taking into account and reflecting on.”
