Cardinals: Austin Hays Trade Interest?

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St. Louis is eyeing outfielder Austin Hays, according to reports from Jon Heyman of The New York Post, as the Cardinals explore options to bolster their lineup heading into the 2026 season.

Cardinals Weigh Options for Right-Handed Outfield power

The team is seeking a righty bat to complement their existing left-handed hitters.

• The Cardinals have expressed interest in both Austin Hays and Miguel Andujar.
• President of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom indicated the team has room for a right-handed outfielder.
• Victor Scott II is expected to continue developing in center field.
• Lars Nootbaar’s potential trade value is being assessed.

Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom stated over the weekend that the team is open to adding a righty-hitting outfielder. Bloom’s comments came in response to a fan question regarding Harrison Bader, though Hays appears to be a more realistic target for the Cardinals.

Hays, 30, is projected to sign a one-year deal for less than Bader would command, and would likely fill a rotational role. he’s a career .282/.340/.479 hitter against left-handed pitching, with over 800 plate appearances. His performance dips against righties,posting a .253/.301/.416 line in 1816 at-bats. Last year, the split was especially pronounced, with a .949 OPS versus southpaws and a .708 OPS against right-handers.

Did you know?-Austin Hays has proven to be a potent hitter against left-handed pitchers throughout his career, making him an attractive option for a team needing a righty bat with platoon potential.

Currently, the Cardinals have Victor Scott II in center field and Lars Nootbaar slated for left field.Nootbaar could be a trade candidate this offseason, possibly by the trade deadline. Alec Burleson, another left-handed hitter, is expected to be the primary first baseman following the trade of Willson Contreras.

Jordan Walker, a right-handed hitter, will likely get another opportunity in right field, but retains a minor league option. Prospect Joshua Baez, also a righty, and left-handed depth options Nathan Church and Bryan Torres are also on the 40-man roster.

The Cardinals are also considering Miguel Andujar, who offers a similar skillset to Hays but may be more expensive after a strong finish to the 2025 season with Cincinnati.

Pro tip-Evaluating a player’s platoon splits-performance against lefties versus righties-is crucial for understanding their potential role and value to a team.

Reader question-Do you think the Cardinals should prioritize a proven veteran like Hays or give a longer look to their internal right-handed options like Jordan walker and Joshua Baez?

Why is the Cardinals pursuing an outfielder? The Cardinals are actively seeking a right-handed hitting outfielder to improve lineup balance, addressing a need created by their existing concentration of left-handed hitters in key positions. Who are the primary targets? Austin Hays of the baltimore Orioles and Miguel Andujar, recently with the Cincinnati Reds, are the two main players under consideration. What is the potential outcome? The Cardinals are leaning towards a one-year deal with Hays, who is projected to be more affordable than other options like Harrison Bader. Andujar remains a possibility, but his recent strong performance could increase his price. How did it end? As of this report, no deal has been finalized. The Cardinals are still evaluating options and