The Cincinnati Reds have reportedly reached a one-year deal with veteran outfielder Austin Hays.
The Cincinnati Reds are reportedly adding some veteran experience to their outfield by signing Austin Hays to a one-year, $5 million deal, according to The Athletic. The agreement, which also includes up to $1 million in performance incentives, has not yet been confirmed by the team.
Hays, 29, is looking to bounce back after a rough 2024 season, which saw him split time between the Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies. After being traded to Philadelphia at the Trade Deadline, he posted a .256/.275/.397 slash line over 80 plate appearances. Unfortunately, his season was cut short by a strained left hamstring and a kidney infection. Overall, he finished the year with five home runs, a .699 OPS in 85 games, and was non-tendered by the Phillies in November.
Despite last year’s struggles, Hays has a history of being a solid contributor. From 2021-23, he hit 22, 16, and 16 home runs in consecutive seasons with Baltimore, maintaining a 108 OPS+ during that stretch. His strong first half in 2023 even earned him his first All-Star nod.
Since debuting with the Orioles in 2017, Hays has played in 579 career games, primarily in left field, though he’s capable of handling all three outfield positions. Over his career, he’s posted a .261 batting average and a .745 OPS across 2,028 Major League at-bats. The Reds are banking on Hays’ potential to bounce back and contribute both offensively and defensively as they gear up for the upcoming season.
Leave a Reply