The Philadelphia Phillies had a disappointing postseason after winning their division in 2024. They just traded for Jesús Luzardo, but that may not be the only change they make before Opening Day.
While listing players that would not be back with the Phillies in 2025, FanSided’s Mark Powell predicted that trade deadline addition Austin Hays would not be back.
Hays was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles to help solve the puzzle in the Phillies outfield. The trade ended up being a failure as Hays played just 22 games with the team and had a .672 OPS. The writing is already on the wall for Hays to be playing elsewhere next year. The Phillies non-tendered him after the season. He will not be a free agent until 2026.
Hays was an All-Star in 2023 with the Orioles. He hit 16 home runs and had a .769 OPS.
“The Phillies have a lot of questions in their outfield, but Dombrowski certainly prefers the likes of Castellanos, Marsh and even Rojas over Hays, the 2023 Orioles All-Star who hasn’t played like one since,” wrote Powell.
The Phillies seem unlikely to make a run for Teoscar Hernández or Anthony Santander. They signed Max Kepler to a one-year, $10 million deal. His arrival all but guarantees that Hays won’t be back following his non-tender.
Hays’ time in Philadelphia will be quickly forgotten. The team needed a better option and Kepler should fill that need. Hays had two home runs for the Phillies, but ultimately the trade will go down as one of the failures of the 2024 season.
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