Could the Orioles deal Austin Hays?

[2001OriolesFan]

Well Hays IS one of the newer Orioles. 2016 draft , 3rd round. Cups of coffee in 2017, 2018 and 2019. He has been a regular on the 25 man roster and starter for two years. 

Decent bat, 260's type hitter with a lot of power. He bats right handed, but with enough power that he can hit it over the Great Wall of Balitmore. ( https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=804158347283222 ) Very good defense in left field with a strong accurate arm that slows down opposing base runners. He is on a 1 year contract.

 He could be a great trade chip. The Orioles have Stowers,(L), Cowser(L), Kjerstad,(L) knocking on the door of MLB some time in 2023, AND Beavers (L),Haskins, Rhodes(R), and Fabian.(R) in the pipeline. ..................... I can imagine him being bundled with one of our "surplus" +scouting score, short stops (Mateo, Ortiz, Westbug) and a "2nd wave OF or infield prospect) for a #1, #2 type pitcher prospect or veteran.

[sportsfan8703]

It’s too late this offseason, and we actually could use another OF right now. This is probably Santander’s last year of playing the OF consistently. Cowser, and Stowers are LH. So Hays is a good compliment. Maybe that changes if Westburg and Norby are in the LF mix. 
 

[LookinUp]

I don't think they want to go with the AA/AAA guys yet, but in theory that could change in spring training. 

I could definitely see him dealt at the deadline.

[Frobby]

Well, Hays aims to stay healthy and keep hitting throughout the season, so why would we trade him?  

https://www.masnsports.com/blog/hays-aims-to-stay-healthy-and-keep-hitting-throughout-the-season
 

[Sanity Check]

He didn't do much late last year to generate a decent trade value.  So, yes, we could trade him, but we're not going to get anything impactful back for him until he proves he's a stud, and the jury is still way out on that one.

I love Austin Hays the way I loved Nolan Reimold, but I'm not sure other organizations are clamoring to have him on their major league roster.

Just my opinion.....

Edited February 9, 2023 by Sanity Check
clarification

[oriole]

It’d be nice if we could package the guys who are kinda good, kinda average and get a #1 starter in return but I don’t think any other club is going to value that approach. What could a package of Hays, Urias, and Mateo get? If I were another team, I wouldn’t be enamored with the thought. I’m a quality over quantity person though. 

[Sports Guy]

I think his value is low and he is far from a “great trade chip”.

When healthy, he’s a good player. But he’s rarely healthy, he’s not reliable and teams know that.

[wildcard]

Stowers does not have the speed to play left field at Camden.    Cowser is not ready yet.   We will see how long it takes him to master both AAA and left-handed pitching. Kjerstad is a RF. Beavers may be a good LF/CF in time but not yet.

Its not time to move Hays yet.   But I think during the 2023 season if he gets hurt someone will move up to play left.

I think the O's develop their TOR starters over the next year.   GRod may have his innings limited in 2023 but probably not in 2024.   Bradish looks strong and he could have the stuff to be a #2.  Hall has the stuff and I would not be surprised if he trades a little speed for consistent command this year.   Means may be a #2 later this year or next year.  Means could sign an extension next off season.

If the O's are able to develop their TOR starters then when they trade Hays it may be for minor leaguers.  I think Elias  continues to strengthen his farm system.

 

Edited February 9, 2023 by wildcard

[Frobby]

34 minutes ago, Sanity Check said:

He didn't do much late last year to generate a decent trade value.  So, yes, we could trade him, but we're not going to get anything impactful back for him until he proves he's a stud, and the jury is still way out on that one.

I love Austin Hays the way I loved Nolan Reimold, but I'm not sure other organizations are clamoring to have him on their major league roster.

Just my opinion.....

I hate the Hays-Reimold analogy.  Through his age 26 season, Hays has had 173 fewer PA than Reimold had in his entire career, and more than double Reimold’s rWAR total.  

Anyway, I don’t think anyone sees Hays as a star player.  I think he could wind up with a 15-20 WAR career.  Teams need guys like that.  
 

[btdart20]

9 minutes ago, Frobby said:

I hate the Hays-Reimold analogy.  Through his age 26 season, Hays has had 173 fewer PA than Reimold had in his entire career, and more than double Reimold’s rWAR total.  

Anyway, I don’t think anyone sees Hays as a star player.  I think he could wind up with a 15-20 WAR career.  Teams need guys like that.  
 

I read his comment that his affection for them as a fan was similar.  Not comparing them as players.

Agreed on Hays as a contributor.  I do think his playing time is balanced with his health/performance and Cowser's development.  If both perform, then a Hays/Mullins/Cowser OF is a strong defensive team.

[BRobinsonfan]

19 minutes ago, Frobby said:

I hate the Hays-Reimold analogy.  Through his age 26 season, Hays has had 173 fewer PA than Reimold had in his entire career, and more than double Reimold’s rWAR total.  

Anyway, I don’t think anyone sees Hays as a star player.  I think he could wind up with a 15-20 WAR career.  Teams need guys like that.  
 

I get where your coming from performance wise, but I think the analogy of an oft injured outfielder with whose abilities were limited by frequent injuries holds up.  

[Aristotelian]

I would be listening to offers for sure. I could certainly see Stowers or Cowser displacing him as the primary starter but it's not a sure thing. I would not expect a huge return, maybe something along the lines of the Jorge Lopez deadline trade.

[Frobby]

20 minutes ago, BRobinsonfan said:

I get where your coming from performance wise, but I think the analogy of an oft injured outfielder with whose abilities were limited by frequent injuries holds up.  

Honestly, you could say that about Fred Lynn.  The guy had a 50 WAR career despite averaging only 122 games a year.  (I’m excluding his cup of coffee in 1974 in that calculation.)

My point is, everything is a matter of degree.  And, IMO, Hays is too young to be pigeonholed.  He’s qualified for the batting title the last two years and has played in more games than most outfielders (23rd in PA among all outfielders in that time).  I’m not going to say that injuries haven’t hampered him in those seasons, but there are dozens of guys who were more impacted by injuries than Hays the last two years.   Who knows what the future holds for him, injury-wise?   

[drdelaware]

I can understand people wanting to move Hays but we have a young squad and cheap talent.  I hate moving pieces just to move them.  Hays probably is more valuable to the Orioles than anything they'd get in return for him.

[vab]

Hopefully Hays has a hot 1st half and, if Cowser is ready, they can move Hays and slot Cowser in.