Now that the 2024 MLB season is officially over, we’re about to get into the thick of hot stove season.

The Orioles have already made their first trade of the offseason, re-acquiring outfielder Daz Cameron from the Athletics on Wednesday afternoon.

The O’s are likely to be involved in the trade market throughout the winter and MLB Trade Rumors suggests that they may be actively looking to shop center fielder Cedric Mullins.

There are a number of reasons why moving Mullins makes sense in theory.

For one, he’s due a raise in arbitration and it’s unclear whether the O’s are willing to dish out the roughly $9 million he’s projected to get.

For another, 2025 is Mullins’ final year of artibration, as he’s set to reach free agency at the end of next year.

Given his recent performance, it’s unlikely that he’ll earn a qualifying offer, so it might make sense to move him now and recoup as much value as possible.

While the arguments for trading him are fair, and the fact is that the O’s were already reportedly shopping him at the 2024 deadline, Mullins was outstanding in the second half and the Orioles could use his bat in the lineup.

In the event that the Orioles wind up trading Mullins, Rookie of the Year finalist Colton Cowser would likely take over full time duties in center.

And with Enrique Bradfield Jr. making a name for himself in the minors, the O’s do have options on the farm to help fill in the void a Mullins deal would create.