Reds fans expected a drop-off without Austin Hays but this exposed front office flaws

Austin Hays could be back from the injured list as early as Friday afternoon, and most Cincinnati Reds fans probably think that's not soon enough. The Reds have been without Hays since April 29, and the team's offense has taken a nosedive with him out of the lineup. While Hays is a big part of what the Reds are trying to do this season, he can't matter that much.

Hays, coming off a down-year in 2024, was arguably the Reds' biggest offseason signing — and that's not saying much. Most of the Reds' offseason acquisitions came by way of trade, though Cincinnati did sign Hays, Scott Barlow, and Ian Gibaut in free agency.

But the lack of production from the Reds lineup in Hays' absence has revealed how thin the margin for error truly is. The Reds have been unable to obtain a winning record without Hays on the roster, and the same was true earlier this season. Hays began the year on the IL with a calf injury, and the Reds posted an 8-8 record while he was away. The Reds went 8-5 after he returned.

Reds fans expected a drop-off without Austin Hays but this is ridiculous

Hays is a talented player, but even during his best season (2023) he was 2.5 fWAR player. While his numbers have been outstanding through the first month of the 2025 season, Reds fans can't expect him to continue to post an 1.143 OPS and 205 wRC+. His career .755 OPS and 108 wRC+ are more in line with what fans should expect, though the hope is that he'll set new career-highs this season.

But Hays' absence has revealed just how flawed the Reds' front office approach was this past offseason. While Cincinnati made upgrades at various positions by adding Jose Trevino, Gavin Lux, and Brady Singer, they're still hovering right around .500 on the season. The improvement to the roster, while nice, may not be enough to push Cincinnati into playoff contention as the season wears on.

If the Reds are serious about contending, the next best time to bolster the roster would be around the July 31st trade deadline. Cincinnati has oftentimes been unwilling to part with prospects in order to improve the active roster, but because of the front office's shortcomings this past offseason, the Reds may have to get outside their comfort zone.

More Cincinnati Reds News and Rumors