The Philadelphia Phillies made a significant roster decision ahead of Friday’s arbitration deadline, opting not to tender a contract to outfielder Austin Hays.
Hays, who was acquired midseason in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles, will now enter free agency after an injury-plagued stint in Philadelphia.
Hays was projected to earn around $6 million through arbitration, but his limited availability and inconsistent performance made that price tag unappealing.
After joining the Phillies just before the 2024 trade deadline, Hays suffered a hamstring strain, missed time due to a kidney infection, and struggled to regain his form. His season ended quietly, with a brief appearance in the NLDS against the Mets.
Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski acknowledged the miscalculation in acquiring Hays, stating, “It really hurts that Austin Hays didn’t have a good two months. He gets hurt, he gets sick, and he just wasn’t the same player after that.”
The decision to move on from Hays underscores the Phillies’ need to address their outfield and lineup depth this offseason. While superstar Juan Soto headlines the free-agent market, the lack of other top-tier outfield options may push the team toward exploring creative trade opportunities.
This could involve difficult decisions regarding core players like Alec Bohm, Ranger Suarez, or Brandon Marsh to achieve the lineup improvements they need.
Elsewhere, the Phillies retained most of their arbitration-eligible players, including reliever Jose Ruiz, who agreed to a one-year, $1.225 million deal, and backup catcher Garrett Stubbs, who also avoided arbitration.
The team continues to balance internal evaluations with external options as they gear up for a pivotal offseason aimed at contending in 2025.
