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Phillies get better swiping 2023 AL All-Star Hays from Orioles, but don't assume platoon
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- Phillies get better swiping 2023 AL All-Star Hays from Orioles, but don't assume platoon
PHILADELPHIA – The team with baseball's best record improved on Friday, just in time for a test against one of its fellow MLB elites at Citizens Bank Park.
That endeavor proved fruitless, as the Phillies fell 3-1 to the AL Central-leading Cleveland Guardians . They have now dropped seven of 10 since a satisfying sweep of the Dodgers , and apparently need to be better.
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But the Phillies' afternoon acquisition of outfielder Austin Hays from Baltimore has the initial look of being somewhat of a steal that, more importantly, does enhance the roster.
DYNAMIC DEAL: Phillies land 2023 AL All-Star Austin Hays
The price was an adept defensive outfielder who has not hit and a relief pitcher once as prized as any Phillies reliever but who hasn't been as reliable recently.
That's quite a bargain as, in return for Christian Pache and Seranthony Dominguez , the Phillies obtained a 2023 American League All-Star starter who has seen his opportunities dwindle this year partially due to the Orioles ' vast collection of young talent.
Baltimore Orioles left fielder Austin Hays (21) is greeted in the dugout after scoring a run during the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium.
Thomson: Hays won't be stereotyped
Hays did not see action Friday, when Bryson Stott had three of the Phillies' six hits including a home run and the Phillies made two infield errors while regularly flubbing routine plays. But he will Saturday, giving the Phillies a bit more offensive punch.
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"To go from one first-place team to another one," he said, "that's probably everything you could ask for as a player . . .
"There's not very many teams where you feel like you're upgrading in a way from where you were when your team was in first place, but that's how I feel. I feel like I'm coming into a place where we have an even better chance of winning a World Series. I'm really excited to be here."
A right-handed batter who consistently hits lefties, Hays gives the Phillies the complement they sought to Brandon Marsh , a lefty swinger who is typically only in the lineup against right-handed pitchers.
But Phillies manager Rob Thomson, to his credit, does not appear set to typecast Hays as part of a platoon situation with Marsh, which will make the next few weeks and months interesting.
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Both Hays and Marsh can also play center field, which is typically manned by defensive whiz Johan Rojas , whose offensive skills are presently limited. Marsh rarely faces left-handers but Hays, on the contrary, is certain to get a shot against righties.
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"I do not see him as a platoon," Thomson said of Hays before the Phillies opened a 3-game set against the Guardians.
"This guy was an All-Star last year and for whatever reason, I don't know Baltimore's situation, he wasn't playing every single day. I think that's maybe affected his numbers a little bit."
Baltimore Orioles left fielder Austin Hays (21) hits a third-inning double against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Better against lefties
Hays did start that All-Star Game in center field. Of his 490 career MLB starts, all with Baltimore, 53 have come in center field.
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Cleveland does not have a left-handed pitcher set to start any of the three games, with Friday's starter Ben Lively , the former Phillie, followed by Carlos Carrasco on Saturday and Xzavion Curry on Sunday. But Thomson will satisfy his curiosity quickly, starting Hays on Saturday.
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"I think I want to get a chance to see him play," Thomson said.
Hays is a career .262/.314/.433 hitter with 66 homers. He has batted .272/.328/.463 in his career against lefties.
Dombrowski has faith in Hays
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, who said he's sought Hays for several years, concurred with Thomson, saying, "We think he can hit left and right-handed pitching. He's done that in the past."
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Dombrowski made sure to emphasize, however, that Hays was not "an acquisition to be our center fielder," though he could play there on occasion. He added that the Phillies have been "very comfortable to have a defensive player in center field," referring to Rojas.
Hays, 29 and a 2016 third-round pick out of Jacksonville University in Florida, played in 131, 145 and 144 games the past three seasons – and hit 54 homers – but was in just 63 so far this year with three home runs. That may have affected his production, he said.
"It's always tough any time you've been in a starting role and all of a sudden you're in a little bit of a different role with the team," he said. "I was in a platoon situation and playing some defense late so you always want to be an everyday guy."
Philadelphia Phillies second base Bryson Stott (5) hits a home run during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Citizens Bank Park.
Better bullpen still a target
Dombrowski said he'll continue to seek potential improvements to the Phillies' bullpen before Tuesday's 6 p.m. trade deadline.
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"We haven't had a good six games out of the bullpen," he said of the Phillies losing two of three at both Pittsburgh and Minnesota since the All-Start Break with some ineffective relief. "But it's not the first time it's ever happened. We still like our guys a great deal out there."
But, he added, "You can still get better."
The Phillies did activate reliever Michael Rucker , whom they acquired in February from the Cubs, to take Dominguez's spot in the bullpen. They got one inning each of hitless relief Friday from Jose Ruiz, Jose Alvarado and Orion Kerkering .
Rucker, 30, pitched 12 rehab games at Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley and had a 3.21 ERA with 21 strikeouts and just three walks in 14 innings. He owns a 4.96 career ERA with 120 strikeouts and 50 walks in 123⅓ innings over 96 games with the Cubs.
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Wisely, the Phillies won't sit tight just because they have the best record in baseball.
"You're always looking at the trade deadline as a time when you try to make your ballclub better," Dombrowski said. "I think the difference is you realize you have a chance to win."
Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com and our DE Game Day newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Phillies swipe All-Star Austin Hays from Orioles but won't platoon him
