One free agent the Reds could bring back comes with serious red flags

When the Cincinnati Reds evaluate their options in free agency this winter, one name that stands out will be a familiar one, outfielder Austin Hays. He brought a productive bat when he was on the field in 2025, but his inability to stay healthy clouds his market value. The Reds, who have been searching for consistency in their outfield for several years now, will have to weigh upside against risk when deciding if Hays is worth a reunion. 

For the Reds, it’s not an easy call. They’ve seen encouraging steps from younger pieces like Noelvi Marte holding his own in right field, and a few other outfielders have shown flashes, but the position as a whole still feels unsettled. Dropping a healthy Austin Hays into that mix could give Cincinnati some veteran balance and a bat they can count on when he’s available, buying time for prospects to round into form.

The problem is, betting on Hays to clear 100 games has become more of a hope than an expectation, and for a team that wants to build real staying power, that kind of uncertainty might be tough to justify.

Austin Hays brings production, but can the Reds trust his health?

The health concerns are well-documented. Hays opened the 2025 season on the injured list with a calf strain, and before the year was out, he had also missed time with a left foot bone bruise, back spasms, a hamstring strain, and another foot contusion. That stretch alone would raise eyebrows, but it was simply the latest chapter in a long history of setbacks.

In 2024, he battled a kidney infection, a hamstring strain, and a right knee injury. Go further back and you’ll find fractured ribs in 2020 and right ankle surgery in 2018. The injuries vary in nature, but the pattern is the same: availability is never guaranteed.

When Hays does play, the talent is still there. Across 103 games in 2025, he slashed .266/.315/.453 with 15 home runs and 64 RBI. That’s not All-Star production, but it’s the type of contribution that can lengthen a lineup, especially for a Reds team that often leaned too heavily on a few bats. The problem is volume. He hasn’t played a full season since 2023, logging just 85 games in 2024, and clubs aren’t going to forget that when negotiating his next deal.

The Reds could try to get creative in maximizing his value while minimizing risk. With Marte settling into right, Cincinnati could ease Hays’ defensive workload, keeping him in left field or using him as a designated hitter to preserve his legs.

Entering his age-30 season, Hays still has plenty of talent, and there will be suitors hoping to capture his upside on a short-term deal. For the Reds, the fit is obvious, but the question is whether it’s worth the headache. A reunion might make sense if the price is right and the expectations are modest, but given his injury log, it’s fair to wonder if “low-risk flier” is simply another way of saying “ticking time bomb.”

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