2024-07-27 00:00:03
In a deal between division leaders, the Orioles traded outfielder Austin Hays to the Phillies for reliever Seranthony Domínguez and outfielder Cristian Pache on Friday.
Philadelphia has been shopping for an outfielder to provide more offense from the right side of the plate prior to the Trade Deadline, and Hays fits the bill.
The 29-year-old made the American League All-Star team in 2023 and has produced a .260/.313/.435 slash (109 OPS+) with 57 homers over 483 games since the beginning of 2021. He has a lifetime .791 OPS against left-handed pitching.
Hays is a big upgrade at the plate over Pache, who is a superb defender but has hit .179 with a .515 OPS over 545 plate appearances at the big league level.
From the O’s perspective, trading the veteran Hays could open up some more playing time for younger players such as Heston Kjerstad.
Additionally, Baltimore gets a reliever with closing experience in Domínguez, a 29-year-old right-hander who put up a 3.55 ERA with a 10.3 K/9 over six seasons with the Phillies. Domínguez has posted a 4.75 ERA this season, but he throws hard and has an excellent slider that has held opponents to a .143 batting average in 2024.
