PHILADELPHIA — Austin Hays stayed with a first-place workforce within the East solely because the outfielder moved from Baltimore to Philadelphia, he believed his probability at making a significant contribution down the stretch improved.
So did his possibilities at profitable the World Collection.
“That is every part you may ask for, to go from one profitable workforce to a different profitable workforce,” Hays stated. “There’s not very many groups you’re feeling like the place you are upgrading from the place you had been when your workforce’s in first place. That is how I really feel. I really feel like I am coming into a spot the place we have now a good higher probability to win a World Collection.”
The Phillies acquired Hays from the Orioles on Friday in alternate for right-handed pitcher Seranthony DomÃnguez and outfielder Cristian Pache in a deal between the East Division leaders in each leagues.
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The beginning heart fielder within the 2023 All-Star Recreation for the American League, Hays received off to a horrible begin and was positioned on the injured record with a left calf pressure in April. He had simply three homers and 14 RBI in 63 video games this season for the Orioles.
Baltimore is 61-42 and has a two-game lead over the New York Yankees for first place within the AL East. The Phillies boast one of the best document in baseball at 64-39.
Hays was in Philadelphia, however not within the lineup for Friday’s 3-1 loss to Cleveland. The 29-year-old Hays, who cannot change into a free-agent till after the 2025 season, ought to have the prospect to make an immediate influence in Philadelphia.
“I don’t see him as a platoon participant,” Phillies supervisor Rob Thomson stated. “This man is an All-Star final 12 months. And for no matter motive, I do not know Baltimore’s state of affairs, however he wasn’t enjoying each single day. I believe that is perhaps affected his numbers slightly bit. So I wish to see what we have now right here.”
Initially chosen by the Orioles within the third spherical of the 2016 newbie draft, Hays performed 557 video games for Baltimore over components of seven seasons and had 121 doubles, eight triples, 66 dwelling runs, 242 RBI and 126 walks. In opposition to left-handers in his profession, he has hit .272 with a .328 on-base share and .463 slugging share.
“He is a real professional. To lose somebody like that, that we’re all near, it is robust,” Orioles supervisor Brandon Hyde stated. “Robust day, however we’re excited in regards to the two guys we’re getting and need Austin effectively.”
Hays started his profession in 2017 and went by way of a tough rebuild in Baltimore earlier than the Orioles lastly received the AL East final 12 months. He was squeezed out at instances in a crowded outfield that included Cedric Mullins, Colton Cowser and Heston Kjerstad.
“You all the time wish to be the on a regular basis man as a participant,” Hays stated. “It is robust altering roles, positively.”
Hays was scheduled to begin Saturday towards Cleveland right-hander Carlos Carrasco.
Hays will get the chance to win the job in left area because the Phillies chase their third straight journey to the playoffs and their first World Collection championship since 2008. Brandon Marsh, who went 0 for 4 in Friday’s loss and dropped his common to .247, might probably platoon in heart area with light-hitting Johan Rojas, who has became an elite defender.
The 29-year-old DomÃnguez appeared in 230 video games for the Phillies over components of six seasons. He’s 3-2 with one save and a 4.25 ERA this season in 38 video games.
Pache hit .202 in 50 video games for the Phillies this season.
DomÃnguez has a $4.25 million wage this 12 months as a part of a $7.25 million, two-year contract that features an $8 million workforce possibility for 2025 with a $500,000 buyout. Hays has a $6.3 million wage after profitable in arbitration, is eligible for arbitration once more subsequent winter and may change into a free agent after the 2025 season. Pache could possibly be eligible for arbitration for the primary time subsequent winter.
Marsh was within the beginning lineup Friday towards Cleveland right-hander Ben Vigorous. Marsh by no means developed into an on a regular basis participant due to his general battle over left-handers. Marsh, the favored outfielder along with his signature moist hair fashion, has a .140 batting common with two RBI in 57 plate appearances towards left-handed pitchers this season.
“I am not likely positive why he has struggled a lot towards left-handed pitching this 12 months,” workforce president Dave Dombrowski stated. “He made some progress final 12 months. We’re slightly bit stunned, really. We nonetheless assume he’ll do it, nevertheless it’s not one thing he is accomplished this 12 months. We nonetheless assume he has an opportunity to be an on a regular basis participant.”
