Reds rumors: Mets eyeing slugger Cincy parted with at start of offseason

Cincinnati Reds fans had barely finished filing Austin Hays away under “nice one-year rental, shame about the training room” when the rumor mill dragged him right back into the conversation, just wearing different laundry.

According to Jon Heyman, the Mets have “discussed Austin Hays internally and have some interest.” And that part might make Cincinnati fans groan a little. Because for all the stop-and-start injury drama, Hays was legitimately productive in his lone season with the Reds — 15 home runs, 64 RBI, and a .768 OPS in 103 games. 

Mets interest in Austin Hays brings back a familiar Reds “what if”

If the Mets are shopping in this aisle, it’s because Hays checks a pretty specific box: right-handed thump with a history of doing damage against left-handed pitching. One rundown of the rumor notes he torched lefties to the tune of a .319/.400/.519 line and a 155 wRC+.

He’s not a “carry the offense” superstar, but the appeal is obvious: put him in spots where his strengths pop, let him hold down a corner outfield role, and hope the health cooperates.

Cincinnati “parted with” Hays quickly because the decision point came early: the Reds declined their end of his $12 million mutual option for 2026 and chose the $1 million buyout instead. 

That’s not the Reds dunking on the player. It’s the Reds making a pretty rational bet that availability is a tool, too — and Hays’ 2025 came with a running injury log:

• A left calf strain at the end of Spring Training put him on the IL to open the season
• A left foot contusion that turned into a deep bone bruise situation
• Back spasms that disrupted the stretch run (even if he fought to stay in the mix)

The Reds still received production from Hays, but they also got the constant re-planning. And that’s how you end up with a player you like but don’t feel great about guaranteeing $12 million to the next year.

There’s also an annoying reality: Hays wasn’t lucking into his home runs. Statcast had his barrel rate at 10.4 percent in 2025, which supports the idea that the power was fairly real when he was actually on the field. 

So if he lands in Queens on a short deal, stays upright, and mashes lefties all summer? Reds fans are going to remember exactly what that looked like at Great American Ball Park, and exactly why it felt like the lineup had more punch when he was penciled in.