The Cincinnati Reds wrapped up their offseason spending — for the most part according to president of baseball operations Nick Krall — after officially inking outfielder Austin Hays to a one-year, $5 million deal on Thursday.
Hays' contract contains a $12 million mutual-option for 2026 with a $1 million buyout. Following the announcement of the Hays' signing, Krall said, “I think we’re probably in a spot where this is your team going into camp." Krall didn't rule out an addition minor-league signing here and there, but the 40-man roster is likely set.
With the Reds roster at 40 prior to the signing, a corresponding move was necessary. The Reds chose to designate pitcher Casey Legumina for assignment after DFA'ing Owen White earlier in the week to make room for Taylor Rogers. Reds fans will remember that Legumina was traded to Cincinnati from the Minnesota Twins back in 2022 in exchange for infielder Kyle Farmer.
Reds' 2022 trade acquisition Casey Legumina DFA'd after Austin Hays' signing made official
Legumina had been hanging by a thread since the offseason began. After joining the Reds' organization prior to the 2023 season, Legumina had been little more than a depth option at Triple-A who'd become very familiar with the scenery up and down I-71 between Cincinnati and Louisville.
Legumina had a nice stretch in the minors last season and posted a 3.24 ERA in 58 ⅓ innings pitched. He wasn't missing a ton of bats, but kept free runners off the base paths with a 7.6% walk rate. But during his major league stint in 2024, Legumina made just six relief appearances with an unsightly 8.68 ERA and seven strikeouts.
The #Reds today signed OF Austin Hays to a one-year contract through the 2025 season, with a mutual option for 2026. In a corresponding move, RHP Casey Legumina was designated for assignment.
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) January 30, 2025
The Reds recent additions of Joe La Sorsa, Albert Abreu, and Bryan Shaw put Legumina's chances of making the Opening Day roster in doubt. All three non-roster invitees, plus Zach Maxwell and Luis Mey had the upper hand in the chase for those final few spots in the Reds bullpen.
If Legumina passes through waivers, the Reds then have seven days to find a trade partner. If no one bites, then Cincinnati can either release Legumina into free agency or outright him to the minor-leagues. Once spring training begins, the Reds will open up two more roster spots after placing Brandon Williamson and Julian Aguiar on the 60-day IL. Both pitchers are expected to miss the 2025 campaign after undergoing surgery late last season.