Baltimore Orioles Trade Austin Hays to Phillies for Seranthony Domínguez and Cristian Pache
The Baltimore Orioles have traded outfielder Austin Hays to the Philadelphia Phillies. In return, the Orioles receive relief pitcher Seranthony Domínguez and outfielder Cristian Pache. The deal, announced on Friday, addresses key needs for both teams as they head towards the postseason.
The Orioles, leading the American League East with a 61-41 record, are aiming to strengthen their bullpen.
“Domínguez brings a lot of potential with his powerful fastball and playoff experience,” said Orioles General Manager Mike Elias.
Domínguez, has a 4.75 ERA this season in 38 appearances but has shown impressive speed with his fastball averaging 97.6 mph. He also has a solid playoff track record with a 1.13 ERA in 15 postseason games.
Baltimore also acquired Cristian Pache, a former top prospect who has struggled in the majors. Pache, 25, has a career batting average of .179 with a .202 average this season. Orioles’ manager Brandon Hyde commented, “Pache adds depth to our outfield and could develop into a valuable player for us.”
In exchange, the Orioles gave up Austin Hays, a key player and a 2023 All-Star.
Hays has spent seven seasons with the Orioles and has a .263/.315/.433 career slash line. This season, he’s been hitting .255 with three home runs and 14 RBIs.
“Austin has been a major part of our team, and we wish him the best with the Phillies,” said Elias.
The Phillies, who have the best record in MLB at 64-38, needed an outfielder to help balance their lineup. “Austin Hays will give us a right-handed bat and add depth to our outfield,” said Phillies General Manager Dave Dombrowski. Hays is expected to play left field and could help with the team’s struggles in that position.
Domínguez’s departure from the Phillies’ bullpen comes as they shift their strategy.
“We’ve decided to go in a different direction, and we believe Domínguez can find success with the Orioles,” Dombrowski explained. Domínguez had been struggling recently and was lower in the bullpen hierarchy.
Pache’s move to the Orioles provides them with more options.
“Even though Pache’s performance hasn’t been stellar, his speed and defense can be useful, especially with some injuries on our team,” Hyde noted.
This trade shows the different priorities of both teams. The Orioles are focused on boosting their bullpen, while the Phillies are looking to strengthen their outfield. As the trade deadline approaches, this deal could be the start of more significant moves for both teams aiming for a successful postseason.