As the Phillies embark on their mission to reshape their outfield, the decision regarding Austin Hays not receiving a contract before Friday night's deadline came as no surprise. Even if they envisioned him playing a role as a lefty-hitting corner outfielder in 2025, they were hesitant to commit nearly $6 million without a clear picture of the entire outfield composition.

Baseball Operations and Hays' Departure

This summer trade by president Dave Dombrowski proved rather forgettable. He acquired Austin Hays in exchange for a reliever, Seranthony Domínguez, who Baltimore deemed worthy of an $8 million option for the next season. Domínguez slipped down the Phillies' trust ladder, but Hays never truly made it in. A team source confirmed Hays' departure, which was first reported by the New York Post.When the Phillies acquired Hays in late July, they saw him as an everyday player. However, numerous injuries derailed his chances of making a significant impact down the stretch. In the only postseason game he started, he went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. Although they could have aimed higher at the previous trade deadline, very few "impact-type" hitters were available. Their gamble to fill a specific role didn't pay off.Austin Hays batted.256/.275/.397 in 80 plate appearances with the Phillies. This performance showed both his potential and the challenges he faced.

Next Outfield Transactions and Uncertainties

The next outfield transactions hold great significance. In 2023, Dombrowski resisted external additions at the trade deadline and didn't pursue an outfielder to supplement the group between 2023 and 2024. Then, they failed to find a suitable platoon partner for Brandon Marsh in the summer.How they will remake the outfield remains a mystery. The free-agent market, excluding Juan Soto, doesn't offer many clear solutions. According to major-league sources, the Phillies have not met with Soto's camp despite their interest. Even if they do meet and submit an offer later this offseason, they are not considered the front-runners to land him.The center field pool is lacking. The Phillies might return to a Marsh platoon with Johan Rojas in center. Free-agent corner hitters like Teoscar Hernández and Anthony Santander would provide power upgrades but come with high swing-and-miss rates. The Phillies have an aggressive lineup and are seeking a better balance.

Trading Nick Castellanos

The Phillies have made Nick Castellanos available in trade talks. They have shopped numerous players, namely Alec Bohm and Ranger Suárez, to gauge other clubs' interest. Considering his contract and performance, it's not surprising they would be open to moving him. However, a trade is unlikely unless they absorb a large portion of the remaining $40 million on his contract. Castellanos, despite his flaws, has been a reliable player, starting 452 of 486 regular-season games since joining the Phillies in 2022.

Other Outfield Considerations

The Phillies have ruled out a return to the outfield for Bryce Harper, who has found a new home at first base. Their best outfield prospect, Justin Crawford, could benefit from another year of development. According to major-league sources, Crawford is not excluded from trade talks, but he would only be moved for a big-league player with multiple years of club control.The Phillies avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal with Garrett Stubbs, who could potentially be sent to Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2025. He will compete with Rafael Marchán for the backup catcher job. Marchán is out of minor-league options, and retaining Stubbs provides insurance as the Phillies don't have deep catching resources.They signed José Ruiz to a one-year deal worth $1.225 million. They also offered contracts to five other arbitration-eligible players - Suárez, Bohm, Marsh, Bryson Stott, and Edmundo Sosa. There is no guarantee that all these players will be with the Phillies when spring training begins.Whenever the Phillies face offseason challenges, they often turn to spending money. But this time, it might not be that straightforward. These are unique difficulties for Dombrowski, with the outfield being the most perplexing.