NY Mets rumors link them to former Phillies player who can mash lefties

It’s not the best solution fans are hoping for. However, to see Austin Hays’ name appear in recent New York Mets rumors involving their hunt for some outfield depth, they could do much worse.

According to the NY Post’s Jon Heyman, the Mets have discussed Hays internally as part of a solution for their current outfield situation.

A longtime Baltimore Orioles player who was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in 2024, Hays is coming off of a productive year with the Cincinnati Reds. Of note, he hit .319/.400/.549 against left-handed pitchers. He’d actually be a good safety net in left field and temporary option at the position until Carson Benge is deemed ready to tackle the majority of playing time.

Austin Hays is a good fit for the Mets, he just doesn’t solve their greatest need

If the Mets are going to go with Hays in left field, they’ll need to do a little more around the diamond. Adding another outfielder is a must with a preference in center field. A trade for Luis Robert Jr. solves this. An added first base option, as well, would make sense.

Both of those remain realistic. The Mets remain very much in on a trade for Robert. Shortly after Jeff McNeil was traded to the Athletics, it came out that they were seeking a right-handed hitter with power who can play some first base.

The reported interest in Hays tells us the Mets may be leaning toward quantity rather than quality. This would eliminate a player like Cody Bellinger who seemed out of reach based on the team’s desire to keep contracts short. The benefit of this is it eliminates a glaring hole if done correctly. The challenge is getting enough bodies in here to fill the vacancies.

David Stearns has been described as a “sum of the parts” thinker who’d rather have a 26-man roster of average players than one with a handful of stars and as many scrubs. It’s debatable what works best. What’s evident is the way the Mets were structured last year wasn’t the right way to tackle it.

Hitting left-handed pitchers was a bit of a problem for the Mets last year. Jorge Polanco already ups their aummunition there. Hays, swinging from the right side, does the same and buys them time until the kids arrive.