There is an old adage in baseball circles that when the Tampa Bay Rays’ front office calls you about a trade, you should hang up the phone immediately. That is because, in all likelihood, the Rays have identified value in one of your undervalued assets and are preparing to fleece you in a deal. The same can be said about their knack for finding hidden gems on the free-agent market. This ownership group has always been extremely frugal, but when they decide to spend money on a player, it often comes with significant upside that leaves the rest of baseball wondering, “How did we miss that?” In many ways, the Rays operate like savvy fantasy baseball managers: ignore the age, ignore the hype, and follow the numbers.
This week, Tampa Bay added a player who fits that mold perfectly. They signed him to a one-year “prove it” deal worth just $7 million. This player has hit 15 or more home runs in five straight seasons, with a career-high of 30. He has also stolen 19 or more bases in each of those same five seasons, including three seasons with over 30 steals. His counting stats remain solid, and he is only 31 years old. On paper, that sounds like a perfectly respectable third outfielder in fantasy baseball, right? Yet Cedric Mullins is typically drafted much later than that.
Mullins struggled in New York, but he is still the best outfield option the Rays currently have. He now has a real chance to deliver meaningful value as a late-round gamble for fantasy owners seeking 15–20 home runs and stolen bases—a combination becoming increasingly rare. You won’t need to reach for him, and he may start on your bench, but the upside is undeniable. And if the Rays see it, I’m siding with the geniuses.