The Tampa Bay Rays aren’t a franchise that is going to spend a ton of money in free agency, so when they do go after a veteran, it will be a calculated risk. Unlike their peers in the American League East, who won’t miss a beat in terms of spending should they have a free agent not meet expectations, the Rays cannot afford such misses. With a tight budget, they need to make every dollar count. That is why Tampa Bay is almost certainly regretting the decision they made in free agency to sign outfielder Cedric Mullins . The two sides agreed to a one-year, $7 million contract , which includes a $10 million mutual option for 2027. In the grand scheme of things, that isn’t a massive amount of money. But when that represents 18.4% of the total amount of money spent by the team this winter and the fourth-highest-paid player on the roster in 2026, expectations are higher.  Cedric Mullins has disappointed for Rays Apr 12, 2026; St.…