The Cincinnati Reds seemingly addressed their outfield issues on Tuesday, agreeing to a 1-year contract with free agent outfielder Austin Hays. It’s a $5 million pact, per C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic, and Hays will bring some much needed right-handed prowess to an otherwise lefty-heavy outfield mix.
Reds outfielders posted a collective 85 wRC+ during the course of the 2024 season, with regression from Will Benson and Spencer Steer paired with the brutal string of injuries to TJ Friedl and the absence of Jake Fraley due to family reasons. That ranked tied for the fifth worst mark in the game, and their production against LHP (84 wRC+) ranked tied for fourth worst.