By Andy McCullough, Stephen J. Nesbitt and Chad Jennings
Phillies get: OF Austin Hays
Orioles get: RHP Seranthony Domínguez, OF Cristian Pache
Andy McCullough: It’s always fun to see two contenders, a pair of teams who might meet in the World Series in a few months, exchange players off their respective big-league rosters at the deadline. The market is alive and well. And this deal looks like a victory for both clubs. Each utilized the surplus talent of the other to get better.
The Phillies are approaching August with the best record in the sport and one clear hole in their lineup: Center field. Can Hays fill it? Probably not on a regular basis. But he has played the position on occasion for Baltimore throughout his career, filling in for Cedric Mullins. He has not appeared in center in 2024, primarily playing left field this season. That’s the position currently occupied for the Phillies by Brandon Marsh, who has been unable to hit left-handed pitching this season. Take a guess what Hays does quite well: He has posted an .894 OPS against southpaws.
To acquire him, Philadelphia parted with Dominguez, who had been a crucial member of the team’s bullpen during the past few seasons. His value has diminished with the emergence of teammates like Jeff Hoffman, Matt Strahm and Orion Kerkering. And the Orioles could use some relief help — especially after another blown save from Craig Kimbrel against Miami on Thursday. Dominguez has been prone to home runs these past two seasons. He pairs an excellent fastball with an unreliable slider. When he can command his breaking ball, he can be quite good. That will be a project for Baltimore’s coaching staff during the next couple months. Pache is a good defender who has struggled to hit at the big-league level.
It’s a solid, if unexpected, trade for both sides. Philadelphia could still take a big swing for Luis Robert Jr. in center field. Baltimore could still use a starting pitcher. But each team improved here — and improved their chances of meeting in October.
Phillies: B+
Orioles: B
Stephen J. Nesbitt: Oh, baby! What’s not to love about a good ol’ challenge trade?
This trade addressed clear needs for both sides, borrowing from areas of strength. Hays, who came up as a center fielder and now normally occupies a corner outfield spot, has been an overlooked part of the Orioles’ ascent in recent years, providing some thump against left-handers in particular. He’s been platooned a lot this season, and the splits are pretty aggressive — his .585 OPS against right-handed pitching is 300 points lower than his OPS against lefties. The Phillies, already a top-three offense against left-handed pitching, get even better.
The loss of Seranthony Dominguez won’t cripple the Phillies bullpen. (Kyle Ross / USA TODAY)
And the cost won’t cripple their chances. Dominguez was an absolutely essential component of the Phillies bullpen a year or two ago, but now that bullpen has arms galore. Dominguez has great stuff and — though he’s not currently at the height of his powers — he should be an asset in leverage situations for the Orioles down the stretch. The flexibility Dominguez will give Orioles manager Brandon Hyde in the late innings, plus Pache’s premium outfield defense, may become more important than platooning Hays a couple times a week would.
Phillies: B+
Orioles: B+
Chad Jennings: Two contenders dealing from areas of strength.
Hays does not perfectly solve the Phillies’ biggest outfield problem, which is in center field, but he does give them an almost ideal left-field platoon partner for Brandon Marsh (and he can play center if needed). Hays has crushes lefties, and despite underwhelming numbers against right-handers this year, he’s typically not been a lost cause when he plays every day. He also comes with one more year of team control. The Orioles’ outfield depth made him expendable.
Likewise, the Phillies’ bullpen depth, especially given the emergence of All-Stars Jeff Hoffman and Matt Strahm, made Dominguez expendable. Relief pitching is a greater need in Baltimore, where the Orioles have a clear need to bolster the bullpen, and Dominguez gives them an erratic but useful arm who has experience in the late innings (and he comes with a team option for next season). Pache is a strong defender in center, but this deal seems focused mostly around Hays and Dominguez, two useful players who better fit their new clubs. (And neither team dipped into its prospect stock to make this trade happen, so there’s little stopping them from continuing to add.)
Phillies: A-
Orioles: B
(Top photo of Hays: G Fiume / Getty Images)
