Reds dodged multiple offseason disasters that are making other teams miserable

Cincinnati Reds fans campaigned all offseason for a specific addition to the roster: a power-hitting corner outfielder. Nick Krall and the Reds front office seemed almost gun-shy this past winter — unwilling to risk big money — while options like Anthony Santander, Tyler O'Neill, and Jurickson Profar slowly came off the free agent market,

Eventually, in late January, the Reds signed Austin Hays to a one-year, $5 million contract, and through the first two months of the season, it would appear that they couldn't have made a better choice. While Hays has landed on the IL twice already (and may be headed there a third time), his impact on the Reds lineup has been immense. Through 31 games, Hays has hit six bombs, drove in 25 runs and produced a .303/.345/.505 slash line with a .901 OPS.

Hays has quickly become a dominant bat in the Reds lineup while providing needed stability in the outfield. Unfortunately for each team that signed on the aforementioned outfielders, their investment has yet to pan out.

Reds signed Austin Hays while the Blue Jays, Orioles, and Braves whiffed big-time

Santander signed a five-year, $92.5 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. Santander was viewed as the offseason's most elite outfielder not named Juan Soto, but he's failed to live up to that moniker. Through 49 games, the 30-year-old is hitting .181 with a .576 OPS and -0.8 fWAR. While the 2024 All-Star has never been a massive on-base threat, he's still hitting significantly worse than he has throughout his career.

O'Neill extended his Opening Day home run streak to six-straight with the Baltimore Orioles, but hasn't done much since. O'Neill signed a three-year, $49.5 million contract with the Orioles over the offseason; a deal the Baltimore front office is undoubtedly regretting it. Through an injury riddled 24 games, O'Neill has smacked two homers while hitting .188/.280/.325. O'Neill is on the IL for the second time this season with a return date in sight.

Through four games, Profar looked to exactly what the Atlanta Braves were hoping for. But Profar tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs, and was suspended 80-games. If Atlanta makes a playoff run, Profar will be ineligible to play in the postseason.

There are others who've struggled as well. Joc Pederson is hitting just .131 with the Texas Rangers after inking a two-year, $37 million deal. Jesse Winker is on the IL after hitting just .239 to begin the season. Michael Conforto's $17.5 million deal is blowing up the Los Angeles Dodgers' face after seeing hiim hit just .172 with a 73 OPS+. Then there are trade targets like Luis Robert (69 OPS+), Taylor Ward (.218/.265/.493), and Jesús Sánchez (.246/.344/.377).

While the Reds' prove it deal with Hays seemed somewhat insignificant at the time, it's paid big-time dividends for Cincinnati this season. Krall took-a-chance with the injury-riddled Hays, and now Reds fans are hoping he remains with the organization for years to come.

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