Orioles trade Hays to Phillies for Domínguez and Pache

The Orioles made a significant change to their outfield, surrendering one of their longest tenured players, and fortified the bullpen earlier today by consummating their first trade approaching Tuesday’s deadline.

Austin Hays was dealt to the Phillies for reliever Seranthony Domínguez and outfielder Cristian Pache. Minor league pitcher Levi Stoudt was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.

Hays was a third-round pick in the 2016 draft out of Jacksonville University who made his major league debut the following September and started in last year’s All-Star Game. He’s battled injuries throughout much of his career and played in 63 games this season, slashing .255/.316/.395 with 13 doubles, three home runs and 14 RBIs in 175 plate appearances.

The part-time role was a tough adjustment for Hays, who played in 557 games with the Orioles over parts of seven seasons, but Colton Cowser’s emergence as a regular and the shuffling with Heston Kjerstad and Kyle Stowers limited his opportunities.

The Phillies might platoon Hays with Brandon Marsh before he enters his final year of arbitration eligibility.

Hays ranks in the top 50 in Orioles history in doubles (36^th with 121), runs (47^th with 269), home runs (tied for 47^th with 66), RBIs (49^th with 242).

Domínguez, 29, has an $8 million club option for 2025 in his contract but could become a free agent. He’s registered a 4.75 ERA and 1.222 WHIP in 38 appearances, with 40 strikeouts in 36 innings. Overall, the right-hander has posted a 3.55 ERA and 1.187 WHIP in 230 games, averaged 1.0 home runs and 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings and totaled 28 saves to make him an alternative behind Craig Kimbrel.

The Orioles faced Domínguez twice at Camden Yards last month. He retired all six batters, striking out five, and notched his first save in the 11^th inning.

He can bring the heat, with his four-seam fastball and sinker averaging around 98 mph. His 97.6 fastball average ranks in the top five percent in the majors, per Statcast.

Pache, a free agent after the 2027 season, is a right-handed bat to replace Hays. It hasn’t provided much production, with the Dominican native owning a lifetime .179/.243/.272 line in 213 games over parts of the last five seasons with the Braves, Athletics and Phillies. He was 21-for-104 (.202) this year.

Pache can play all three outfield positions, with most of his appearances (160) in center. He’s compiled three defensive runs saved and four outs above average this season.

Two of the best teams in baseball reached an agreement today, and the Orioles certainly aren’t done as they pursue at least one starting pitcher and perhaps another reliever and right-handed hitter.