Cardinals Eyeing Austin Hays For Outfield Depth

The St. Louis Cardinals keep searching for ways to reshape their outfield. One intriguing name has popped up on the free-agent market: veteran outfielder Austin Hays.

St. Louis has shown interest in Hays as they look for a right-handed bat to balance their lineup. They’re probably thinking about a short-term, affordable deal.

So, why does Hays fit the Cardinals’ current roster? How does he stack up against their internal options? And what could his addition mean for the club this season?

Cardinals Monitoring Austin Hays Market

Longtime MLB insider Jon Heyman reports that the Cardinals are one of several teams keeping tabs on free-agent outfielder Austin Hays. The Yankees, Mets, and Royals have also been linked to Hays, which says a lot about his appeal as a solid big-league contributor with a clear role.

Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom has said the team is open to adding a right-handed-hitting outfielder. That lines up with Hays’ profile and suggests St. Louis wants roster balance, not a flashy, long-term signing.

A Low-Risk, One-Year Fit

At this point, Hays isn’t really an everyday center fielder. He’s more of a rotational corner outfielder and short-side platoon bat—a role the Cardinals seem to value as they sort through their crowded outfield.

Why Austin Hays Makes Sense for St. Louis

Hays’ main appeal? His splits. He’s crushed left-handed pitching over his career, posting a strong .282/.340/.479 slash line.

Against righties, he’s been less impressive, with a .253/.301/.416 line. Last season, the gap was even bigger:

Platoon Value Over Star Power

For St. Louis, this isn’t really a problem—it’s actually what they need. Their outfield leans left-handed, and a right-handed bat who can hammer lefties could offer real situational value. He wouldn’t block younger players, either.

Current Outfield Picture in St. Louis

The Cardinals’ outfield feels like it’s in flux. Victor Scott II, a lefty, looks set for center field. Lars Nootbaar is penciled in for left, but his name keeps popping up in trade rumors, so who knows if he’ll stick around through the deadline?

Alec Burleson is likely moving to first base after the Willson Contreras trade, which means less of him in the outfield. That narrows the options even more.

Jordan Walker and the Prospect Depth

Jordan Walker is still in the mix for right field. His major-league success has been limited so far, and with minor-league options left, the Cardinals have flexibility.

Behind him, prospects like Joshua Baez, Nathan Church, and Bryan Torres offer depth, but none feel like sure bets for Opening Day.

Hays vs. Miguel Andújar

St. Louis is also reportedly considering Miguel Andújar, who brings a similar right-handed skill set. The difference is mostly about cost and risk.

Andújar might want a higher salary after finishing the 2025 season strong with Cincinnati. Hays, on the other hand, is probably open to a modest, one-year deal.

A Calculated Move

The Cardinals want to stay in the mix but keep their options open long-term. Austin Hays feels like a calculated gamble for them.

No one’s expecting him to carry the lineup. He just needs to fit in and add something extra.

This year, matchups and depth might tip the NL Central. Bringing in a guy like Hays could end up making a real difference, even if it doesn’t grab headlines.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Cardinals Showing Interest In Austin Hays