The Philadelphia Phillies quickly made their move on the trade market by acquiring outfielder Austin Hays from the Baltimore Orioles on Friday. In exchange, they sent outfielder Cristian Pache and reliever Seranthony Domínguez to the Orioles.
Adding Hays introduces a proven right-handed bat into the Phillies’ lineup, providing manager Rob Thomson with another outfielder for both left and center field. A 2023 All-Star, Hays has had limited opportunities this season, playing in just 63 games with 157 at-bats due to a reduced role with the AL-leading Orioles. However, he is expected to have more chances to showcase his talents with the Phillies.
With an additional year of control beyond this season, the Phillies are clearly hopeful that Hays will return to his previous All-Star form. This confidence is evident in their willingness to trade Domínguez and Pache in a two-for-one deal. Hays’ arrival also dispels recent rumors of a major trade involving a significant number of prospects.
In their game against the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday, a pivotal moment came in the top of the fourth inning when David Fry’s ground ball to shortstop was mishandled. Initially expected to be a routine out or potentially a double play, the ball took an unexpected turn on Trea Turner, who could only manage to knock it down. Although it was scored as a hit, it might have been an error in previous years.
Turner described the play after the game: “It kind of tailed away from me. Usually, you see that from lefties, not righties. I initially thought I could backhand it, but it kept moving away, so I had to dive. It was a strange play and a bit of a mystery.”
As for the Phillies’ pitching staff, it has seen a significant decline. Previously the top pitching staff in baseball with a 3.09 ERA, their performance has faltered. They had the most quality starts in the National League and a strong bullpen, but recent struggles have been evident.
In contrast, the Phillies’ offense, while not as effective as their pitching staff, has not been disastrous. Since July 1, their offensive production ranks 19th in the majors in wRC+. Despite some cold spells from key hitters like Bryce Harper, there have been positive contributions from Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, Alec Bohm, Nick Castellanos, and Weston Wilson.
