Orioles should avoid a reunion with recently non-tendered Austin Hays

As first reported by Jon Heyman, former Baltimore Orioles outfielder Austin Hays was not tendered a contract by the Philadelphia Phillies ahead of the 2024 MLB non-tender deadline, allowing him to become a free agent.

The Orioles have made it well known that they are in search of a right-handed hitting outfielder to add to the 2025 roster. That right-handed hitting outfielder should not be Austin Hays. 

Originally a third-round pick of the Orioles in 2016, Hays was the first player from his draft class to reach the big leagues and played parts of seven seasons with the Orioles. The oft-injured outfielder was a veteran presence for the O’s as he spent the first few seasons of the Mike Elias era in Baltimore watching friends be shipped elsewhere while the rebuild in Baltimore painfully drudged along. 

As the organization emerged from the darkness, it was heartwarming to see the excitement from guys like Hays, Anthony Santander, and Cedric Mullins as they became leaders for what became one of the best teams in baseball. However, Austin Hays’ tenure in Baltimore would come to a close at the 2024 trade deadline as he was traded to the Phillies for reliever Seranthony Dominguez and outfielder Cristian Pache.

Former Orioles' outfielder Austin Hays is a free agent, but he shouldn't be a target for Mike Elias

Long sought after by Philadelphia leadership, Hays was expected to see prominent playing time in left field while giving the Phillies much-needed help against left-handed pitching. Unfortunately, Hays suffered a hamstring injury shortly after arriving in Philadelphia and then contracted a kidney infection, limiting him to just 78 at-bats with his new team after the deadline. That doesn’t include his two playoff appearances, where Hays went a combined 0-4 with three strikeouts. 

According to MLB Trade Rumors’ projection, Austin Hays was expected to get a raise to $6.4 million this offseason. While that’s not a ridiculous amount of money even for a platoon bat who hits lefties incredibly well (.354 average, .404 on-base percentage, 167 wRC+ in 82 at-bats last season), as Hays has shown over and over again in his career, you can’t trust him to stay healthy. 

While the Phillies could look to bring Hays back for a cheaper price, I imagine they look elsewhere for outfield help this offseason.

As for the Orioles, a reunion with Hays isn’t necessary. It’s fair to even imagine if Hays would want to return to Baltimore, considering what appeared to be a strained relationship at times.

If the Orioles are not able to, or don’t want to, bring back Santander, they are going to have to be aggressive in filling the void that Santander leaves, including 44 home runs last season and a veteran, switch-hitting option who, while streaky and not without faults, has been a force in the middle of the Orioles lineup the last few seasons. 

The organization is high on Heston Kjerstad, who could have been the natural replacement for Santander at this point. However, due to a concussion and a crowded roster last year that kept him in Triple-A for a big chunk of the season, Kjerstad has just 129 MLB at-bats to his name and has yet to prove he can be the everyday guy to replace Santander. 

With new ownership bringing deep pockets to Baltimore, along with an eagerness to bring a World Series title back to the Charm City, and free agents like Teoscar Hernandez and Tyler O’Neill available, it’s time for the Orioles to aim higher. An outfield of Colton Cowser, Kjerstad, Mullins, and Hays isn’t going to move the needle.

Hays will likely get a major league contract somewhere for less than his $6.4 million arbitration projection and a healthy Hays does fit a need for the Orioles, but it's time to think bigger in Baltimore and wish Hays the best.