Austin Hays stayed with a top team in the East — only this time, the outfielder moved from Baltimore to Philadelphia, believing his chance to make a significant impact in the season had improved. His chances of winning the World Series did too.
“That’s everything you could ask for, to go from one winning team to another winning team,” Hays said. “There are not very many teams you feel like are where you’re upgrading from where you were when your team was in first place.
That’s how I feel. I feel like I’m coming into a place where we have an even better chance to win a World Series.”
The Phillies traded for Hays from the Orioles on Friday in exchange for right-handed pitcher Seranthony Domínguez and outfielder Cristian Pache in a deal between the top teams in both leagues.
Hays, who was the starting center fielder in the 2023 All-Star Game for the American League, had a rough start to the season and was put on the injured list with a left calf strain in April. He had only three home runs and 14 RBIs in 63 games this season with the Orioles.
Baltimore was at 61-41 on Friday and held a two-game lead over the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East. The Phillies had the best record in baseball at 64-39.
Hays was in Philadelphia, but not in the lineup for Friday’s 3-1 loss to Cleveland. The 29-year-old Hays, who can’t become a free agent until after the 2025 season, should have the chance to make an immediate impact in Philadelphia.
“I do not see him as a platoon player,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “This guy is an All-Star last year. And for whatever reason, I don’t know Baltimore’s situation, but he wasn’t playing every single day. I think that’s maybe affected his numbers a little bit. So I want to see what we have here.”
Hays was in Philadelphia, but not playing in the lineup for Friday’s 3-1 loss to Cleveland. The 29-year-old Hays, who can’t become a free agent until after the 2025 season, is expected to make an immediate impact in Philadelphia.
“I do not see him as a platoon player,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “This guy is an All-Star last year. And for whatever reason, I don’t know Baltimore’s situation, but he wasn’t playing every single day. I think that’s maybe affected his numbers a little bit. So I want to see what we have here.”
Originally picked by the Orioles in the third round of the 2016 amateur draft, Hays played 557 games for Baltimore over parts of seven seasons and had 121 doubles, eight triples, 66 home runs, 242 RBIs, and 126 walks.
Against left-handers in his career, he has hit .272 with a .328 on-base percentage and .463 slugging percentage.
“He’s a true pro. To lose someone like that, that we’re all close to, it’s tough,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. “Tough day, but we’re excited about the two guys we’re getting and wish Austin well.”
Hays began his career in 2017 and went through a tough rebuild in Baltimore before the Orioles finally won the AL East last year. He was sometimes pushed aside in a crowded outfield that included Cedric Mullins, Colton Cowser, and Heston Kjerstad.
“You always want to be the everyday guy as a player,” Hays said. “It’s tough changing roles, definitely.” Hays was set to start on Saturday against Cleveland right-hander Carlos Carrasco.
Hays will have the chance to win the job in left field as the Phillies aim for their third straight playoff appearance and their first World Series title since 2008.
Brandon Marsh, who went 0 for 4 in Friday’s loss and dropped his average to .247, might share center-field duties with Johan Rojas, who is known for his strong defense but does not hit well.
The 29-year-old Domínguez played in 230 games for the Phillies over parts of six seasons. He has a 3-2 record with one save and a 4.25 ERA this season in 38 games.
Pache had a .202 batting average in 50 games for the Phillies this season.
Domínguez is earning $4.25 million this year as part of a $7.25 million, two-year contract that includes an $8 million team option for 2025 with a $500,000 buyout.
Hays has a $6.3 million salary after winning in arbitration, will be eligible for arbitration again next winter, and can become a free agent after the 2025 season. Pache might be eligible for arbitration for the first time next winter.
Marsh was in the starting lineup Friday against Cleveland right-hander Ben Lively. Marsh did not become an everyday player because of his struggles against left-handed pitchers.
Marsh, known for his wet hair style, has a .140 batting average with two RBIs in 57 plate appearances against left-handed pitchers this season.
“I’m not really sure why he has struggled so much against left-handed pitching this year,” team president Dave Dombrowski said. “He made some progress last year.
We’re a little bit surprised, actually. We still think he will do it, but it’s not something he’s done this year. We still think he has a chance to be an everyday player.”
