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The Baltimore Orioles aren’t waiting for the MLB’s trade deadline on July 30. They’ve struck a pair of trades to improve their pitching staff, starting with a deal with the Philadelphia Phillies.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan was first with reports of the deal.
“The Philadelphia Phillies have acquired outfielder Austin Hays and will be sending reliever Seranthony Dominguez and center fielder Cristian Pache to the Baltimore Orioles,” Passan tweeted on July 26.
Hays is a seven-year veteran with the Orioles, and for four-years has been a mainstay in the starting rotation. Baltimore drafted him in the third round of the 2016 MLB Draft. The 29-year-old outfielder is slashing .255/.316/.395 with 3 home runs and 14 RBIs this season.
In return, the Orioles are landing a relief pitcher in Dominguez who’s 3-2 in 38 appearances in 2024. He’s allowed 6 home runs, thrown 40 strikeouts, and has a 4.75 ERA.
Pache is a fifth-year centerfielder. He’s batting .202/.288/.269 this season.
Brandon Hyde On Losing Hays: ‘It’s Tough’
After seven seasons in Baltimore, Hays won’t be absence that goes unnoticed. Asked about losing the veteran outfielder, team skipper Brandon Hyde told reporters “it’s tough.”
“He’s one of the guys that’s still here from the original ’19 team, so someone I’ve been with this entire time we’ve been together here,” Hyde told reporters on July 26. “He played the game so hard for all the years here in front of the fans, and how he went about his business on a daily basis I have so much respect for. Nobody played (as) hard, nobody played more hurt. He was incredible in the clubhouse, unbelievable in the community and the charity work. Incredible with our PR staff. I know he was wonderful to you guys. He’s a true pro, and to lose someone like that that we’re all close to, it’s tough.”
As Hyde mentioned, Hays was apart of the Orioles’ rebuild. That 2019 team went 54-108. Baltimore is on pace for 96 wins in 2024.
Colton Cowser, amid a standout rookie season, credited Hays for teaching him a number of things in the outfield.
“I learned a lot, especially a couple spring trainings with him as well as last year and this year,” Cowser said, according to Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports. “Just taught me a whole lot. A lot on defense and how to play this left field. He’s someone that we’re really going to miss in this clubhouse. He’s a really good leader and I wish him the best.”
Cedric Mullins Staying In Baltimore?
Hays being traded to the Phillies may indicate that Cedric Mullins will remain with the Orioles. He was previously reported as a trade target for Philadelphia.
Jim Bowden of The Athletic reported the Phillies’ interest in Mullins in a radio appearance on “Power Alley,” an MLB Network radio segment.
“They’re [Phillies] looking for a long-term center fielder, two-way guy,” Bowden said on July 18. “They’ve talked to the Baltimore Orioles about Cedric Mullins. That might be a nice fit there.”
Mullins, amid his seventh MLB season, is batting .213/.258/.374 with 10 home runs and 32 RBIs in 2024.
The MLB trade deadline is on July 30. Until the deadline passes, nothing is guaranteed. But with one seemingly off the board, Mullins’ chances of continuing his stay in Baltimore increase.
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