Should Orioles bring back Austin Hays? | MAILBAG

Question: What do you think of the Orioles trying to re-sign Austin Hays as a right-handed hitting outfielder? From: Ed Brause 

Answer: Ed, this was a popular question. Phil Cooke, Robert Coren, Thomas Lanzafame, Don Rau and Ricky Shaw all asked about Hays. 

Hays, 29, didn’t have a good first four months with the Orioles, and he had a hamstring injury and a kidney infection that sent him to the injured list with the Phillies.

I am a huge admirer of Hays. He’s an extremely tough player and was a great voice in the clubhouse.

I think the Orioles will look elsewhere for an impact right-handed hitter. It would be fine to sign two right-handed hitting outfielders, but I think he’ll get no shortage of offers since he’s only a season removed from a Gold Glove and All-Star year in 2023.

Question: What is the Rule 5 draft, and why does it matter? From: Bill Hamilton

Answer: Bill, players who were signed at age 18 or younger and have played five minor league seasons or players signed at 19 and above, who’ve played four minor league seasons, need to be added to the 40-man roster to avoid being subject to the Rule 5 draft.

The Orioles added three pitchers this year — Luis González, Kade Strowd and Brandon Young. They have 34 players eligible to be taken by other teams on December 11^th.

Teams who drafted players in the Rule 5 can’t send them to the minor leagues for a full season, after they’ve been on the active roster for 90 days.

It’s important to teams that are building. The Orioles drafted Anthony Santander and Tyler Wells and were able to keep them on the roster. When teams are contending, as the Orioles are, it’s hard to keep a roster spot essentially frozen for a year.

Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.