The Reds have agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal with outfielder Austin Hays, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The contract includes up to $1 million in incentives and is contingent on Hays passing a physical.
At 29 years old, Hays provides the Reds with the right-handed bat they’ve been looking for to complement their left-handed hitting outfielders TJ Friedl, Jake Fraley, and Will Benson. Hays has a career .277/.331/.469 batting line against left-handed pitchers and can play all three outfield positions, though he’s typically better suited for a corner spot rather than center field.
If he’s healthy, Hays could be a valuable addition to the Reds’ outfield, especially when facing left-handed pitching. His arrival could also give Spencer Steer more opportunities in the infield or at designated hitter, as Steer played outfield last year but is primarily an infielder. With some positions already crowded after the trade of Jonathan India and struggles from Noelvi Marte, the Reds’ spring training will feature competition for playing time, especially with other players like Jeimer Candelario, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Matt McLain, and Elly De La Cruz vying for roles.
The $5 million deal brings the Reds’ payroll to just over $110 million, an increase of about $10 million from last season. This increase became possible after the Reds struck a deal with Main Street Sports/FanDuel Sports Network. While the Reds are also exploring bullpen upgrades, it’s uncertain whether they can afford both Hays and a high-priced reliever like Carlos Estevez.