Another addition would put Cincinnati in an excellent position heading into spring training.
The Cincinnati Reds have been active this offseason, working to assemble a team that could compete for a postseason spot and potentially the NL Central title. However, it seems they are nearing the end of their offseason moves.
Adding one more player would complete an impressive winter. With the front office not looking to spend heavily before Opening Day, their free agent options may be limited.
The Reds are in need of another outfielder and have shown interest in affordable options. If they are aiming for a budget-friendly addition, they might want to target veteran outfielder Austin Hays, a player who has been surprisingly overlooked in free agency this winter.
Signing Austin Hays would solidify Reds’ outfield heading into 2025
Hays, 29, has had an up-and-down couple of years. He earned an All-Star nod in 2023 with the Baltimore Orioles, thanks to hitting 35+ doubles for the second year in a row. However, his 2024 season took a different turn, culminating in a trade to the Philadelphia Phillies as they aimed to strengthen their postseason push in the NL East.
Hays struggled in Philadelphia after dealing with a kidney infection, posting just a .256 average in 22 games before being sidelined for most of September. This dip in performance has caused him to be somewhat overlooked in the free agent market this winter, though he still has the potential to be a valuable contributor to a contender.
When healthy, Hays is an exciting player on both offense and defense. His relatively quiet market could allow the Reds to secure him on a team-friendly contract. Hays is particularly strong against left-handed pitchers, with a career .277 batting average and an .800 OPS against them.
The Reds will face several tough lefties in the NL Central next season, including Justin Steele and Shota Imanaga of the Chicago Cubs, as well as Steven Matz from the St. Louis Cardinals. Hays’ success against lefties could be crucial as Cincinnati looks to climb over these teams, both of whom finished ahead of the Reds in 2024.
While Hays has mostly played left field (395 games), he’s also appeared in right field (137 games) and center field (70 games). The Reds would have flexibility in using him wherever needed, and a short-term deal for Hays would be a smart move for the 2025 season.
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