The Phillies are non-tendering outfielder Austin Hays, according to a report from Jon Heyman of the New York Post. He will become a free agent.
Hays, 29, was acquired in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles at the deadline. He was thrusted into an everyday role and struggled. He went on the injured list on Aug. 9 with a hamstring issue and returned to the IL about a month later with a kidney infection. He returned in time to play in the postseason, but was benched after Game 3 of the NLDS.
Overall, Hays slashed .256/.275/.397 in 80 plate appearances with the Phillies. He was great against lefties and in hindsight, maybe things turn out a little differently if the Phillies kept him in a platoon role with Brandon Marsh in left field.
The news isn’t a surprise. The Phillies are in need of an upgrade in the outfield and didn’t want to commit to Hays. He was projected to make $6.4 million in his third year of arbitration in 2025, according to MLB Trade Rumors.
In exchange for Hays, the Orioles acquired reliever Seranthony Domínguez. Baltimore picked up Domínguez’s 2025 club option for $8 million after the right-hander posted a 3.97 ERA in 25 games.
The non-tender deadline is Friday night at 8 p.m. ET. Marsh, Bryson Stott, Alec Bohm, Ranger Suárez, Jose Ruiz and Edmundo Sosa, all arbitration eligible, are expected to receive contracts for next season. The Phillies have to make a call on catcher Garrett Stubbs, who could be a non-tender candidate.
