If Austin Hays is choosing between Reds and Yankees it should be an easy call

Over the last couple of weeks, the Cincinnati Reds have been connected to two former players — Austin Hays and Eugenio Suárez. The former is a better positional fit while the latter brings far more durability and power.

Suárez has been linked to several other teams — including the Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, and Pittsburgh Pirates — while Hays' market seems to be between the Reds and New York Yankees (though the St. Louis Cardinals have been mentioned as well). With all things being equal — and assuming all three organizations are offering similar money — Hays' choice should be rather simple.

The Reds offer Hays the best chance to be an everyday player — though the Cardinals could probably make that claim as well. But with St. Louis in the midst of a rebuild, Hays' chances of playing meaningful baseball during the second-half of the season are far more likely if he returns to Cincinnati in 2026.

The Reds (not the Yankees) offer Austin Hays the best chance to be an everyday player

Hays signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Reds last winter that included a $12 million mutual-option for 2026. The Reds turned down their end of the option, which allowed the former All-Star to enter the free agent market.

But Hays has found little traction this winter, due in part to the prolonged contract negotiations of fellow outfielders Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger. It felt as if Hays was a fallback option for the Yankees if they failed to reunite with Bellinger. But his return to the Bronx wipes out almost any chance of Hays finding regular playing time in New York's outfield.

In Cincinnati, however, Hays could easily lay claim to an Opening Day spot in left field. Despite their need for an offensive upgrade, the Reds have done little to improve their lineup heading into spring training next month. If Hays were to sign on the dotted line, he'd help bring clarity the Reds' outfield picture and some extra punch to the heart of the batting order.

At the moment, the starting job in left field looks like a two-horse race between Will Benson and free agent addition JJ Bleday. There's a chance the Reds could push Spencer Steer to the outfield, but he holds far more value on the infield after being named a Gold Glove finalist at first base last season.

The Reds' impending television agreement could shed some light on the team's financial situation and thereby open the door for Cincinnati to reunite with Hays. Another one-year agreement between the Reds and Hays could be on the horizon, and few other organization's will be able to match what Cincinnati provides.