Access the Yankees beat like never before
Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees.
Try it freeThe Yankees and Mets are battling for the same starting outfielder and fallback option.
While Cody Bellinger is a top target for both teams, The Post’s Jon Heyman reported Wednesday the Bronx Bombers have also checked in on veteran Austin Hays.
Heyman reported Tuesday that the Amazin’s have interest in the righty outfielder.
Hays, 30, profiles as more of a reserve bat than an everyday starter, but he provides value by hitting left-handed pitching well.
Last year with the Reds, Hays had a .319/.400/.549 slash line with a .949 OPS against lefties.
He oddly displayed much more power against righties, hitting 13 of his 15 homers against same-side pitchers in roughly three times the amount of plate appearances (311 to 105).
Austin Hays during the 2025 playoffs. Getty Images
However, he hit just .249/.286/.422 against righties.
In a world where the Yankees don’t retain Bellinger, he profiles as the possible righty bat in a platoon with Jasson Domínguez or Spencer Jones — should both make the team — in left field.
Heyman reported that Hays is “more realistic” for the Yankees in such a scenario.
Cody Bellinger runs during the playoffs. Robert Sabo for NY PostThe Yankees tried such a formula last year with Austin Slater, but he did not hit while dealing with injuries.
Hays could still make sense even if Bellinger returns since Bellinger, Trent Grisham and Jones are all lefties, and Domínguez is better as a lefty hitter than right-handed.
For his career, Hays is a .262 hitter with 83 homers and 312 RBIs spanning eight seasons.
He played for the Orioles from 2017-2024 before being acquired by the Phillies during the 2024 trade deadline, and posted a .768 OPS with Cincinnati last year.
The Yankees are seemingly waiting for Bellinger to decide before proceeding with their offseason since their moves thus far have been low-level re-signings, such as Tim Hill and Ryan Yarbrough.
Grisham returning on the $22.025 million qualifying offer tied up a solid amount of potential flexibility, although he gives the Yankees a 30-homer bat in center field.
