Spring training often serves as a reminder that sometimes the players who leave a team end up thriving elsewhere. For the Philadelphia Phillies, three former players have already made fans wonder if the club gave up on them too soon.
Austin Hays, Harrison Bader and Kody Clemens have each delivered strong performances this spring, highlighting what Philadelphia may be missing heading into the 2026 season.
Austin Hays finding his rhythm again
The Phillies acquired Austin Hays from the Baltimore Orioles at the 2024 trade deadline hoping he could strengthen a struggling outfield.
Unfortunately, his stint in Philadelphia was derailed by a serious kidney infection, limiting him to just 22 games. During that brief stretch, he struggled offensively and finished with a .672 OPS, leading the Phillies to move on rather than offer him a new contract.
Hays later joined the Cincinnati Reds, where he bounced back with a .768 OPS in 416 plate appearances.
Now with the Chicago White Sox on a one-year, $6 million deal, the 30-year-old has looked impressive in spring training. Through 28 plate appearances, he has posted a .997 OPS, reminding observers that he still has plenty to offer.
Given the Phillies’ occasional need for outfield depth, Hays could have been a useful platoon partner for Brandon Marsh this season.
Harrison Bader continuing his resurgence
Another player Philadelphia might wish it had kept is Harrison Bader.
The veteran center fielder quickly became a fan favorite after being acquired from the Minnesota Twins during the 2025 season. Known for his elite defense, Bader also enjoyed one of the most productive offensive stretches of his career during that time.
However, the Phillies chose to allocate their offseason resources elsewhere, signing Adolis García instead. That decision opened the door for the San Francisco Giants to sign Bader to a two-year, $20.5 million contract.
So far, the deal has looked like a bargain. In six spring training games, Bader has produced a scorching .417/.462/.833 slash line.
The 31-year-old is currently taking part in the World Baseball Classic with Team Israel, but his early spring performance already has some Phillies fans second-guessing the team’s decision.
Kody Clemens thriving as a versatile role player
Kody Clemens also appears to be thriving after leaving Philadelphia.
The utility player originally joined the Phillies before the 2023 season as part of the trade that sent Matt Vierling to Detroit in exchange for reliever Gregory Soto. Despite occasional flashes, Clemens struggled to find consistent success in Philadelphia, hitting .220/.265/.394 across parts of three seasons.
With the Phillies facing a crowded bench, Clemens was eventually traded to the Minnesota Twins in 2025.
That move helped revitalize his career. In Minnesota, the 29-year-old became a productive part-time contributor, posting a .216/.284/.442 line in 379 plate appearances while playing multiple positions across the field.
Clemens has carried that momentum into the current spring, recording a .937 OPS in 21 plate appearances.
Ironically, the Phillies could use another left-handed bench bat to complement right-handed hitters like Otto Kemp and Edmundo Sosa, a role Clemens might have filled.
A familiar offseason reality
For Philadelphia, the situation is a familiar reality in professional sports. Teams must constantly make roster decisions based on performance, finances and roster fit, and sometimes those decisions don’t age perfectly.
While the Phillies remain a strong contender entering the season, the early success of Hays, Bader and Clemens this spring is a reminder that sometimes the players who leave end up proving their value somewhere else.
Leave a Reply