Time to Move On?
Austin Hays and Cedric Mullins have been integral parts of the Orioles' rebuild, enduring some of the team's worst seasons in recent memory. Once bright spots on one of the league's worst teams, they have struggled significantly this season.
Mullins, now three years removed from his magical 30/30 season, looks like a shadow of his former self. His struggles at the plate are evident, with a .193/.241/.333 slash line that is unacceptable for a playoff contender. Additionally, his hard-hit rate has dropped to its lowest since 2021.
Hays, who started the All-Star game last season, is also struggling to make an impact. Although injuries may be a factor, his performance this season has been disappointing. In just 29 games, Hays has posted a -0.7 fWAR, barely slugging .200, and his defense has not been up to the usual standard.
Despite these struggles, I don't believe the answer is to move on from Hays and Mullins just yet.
However, for the time being, they should be relegated to bench or platoon roles. Hays has a respectable 114 wRC+ against lefties, making him a viable option in those matchups. Mullins, with a 93 wRC+ against righties, can still contribute if he plays solid defense in center field. They should not, however, block younger players who are currently performing better.
Moving forward, the Orioles would benefit from giving regular playing time to Colton Cowser and Kyle Stowers.
