The Yankees and Mets are battling for not only the same starting outfielder but also the fallback option.
While Cody Bellinger is a top target for both teams, The Post’s Jon Heyman reported Wednesday that the Bronx Bombers have too 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 since he hits lefty pitching well.
Last year with the Reds, Hays slashed .309/.400/.549 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).
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 Dominguez 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.
The 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 Dominguez is better as a lefty hitter than righty.
For his career, Hays is a .262 hitter with 83 homers and 312 RBIs spanning eight seasons.
He played for the Orioles from 2017-24 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 like Tim Hill and Ryan Yarbrough.
Grisham returning on the $22 million qualifying offer tied up a solid amount of potential flexibility, although he gives the Yankees a 30-homer bat in center field.
