Cincinnati Reds fans spent the offseason pushing for one key roster addition: a power-hitting corner outfielder. However, Nick Krall and the Reds’ front office appeared hesitant to spend big, passing on players like Anthony Santander, Tyler O’Neill, and Jurickson Profar as they gradually signed elsewhere.
Eventually, in late January, the Reds inked Austin Hays to a one-year, \$5 million deal — and through the first two months of the season, the move looks like a home run. Despite two trips to the injured list (and possibly a third on the horizon), Hays has made a major impact. In 31 games, he’s blasted six home runs, driven in 25 runs, and posted an impressive .303/.345/.505 slash line with a .901 OPS.
Hays has quickly emerged as a key offensive force and a steady presence in the outfield. Meanwhile, the other free agent outfielders mentioned haven’t delivered the same return on investment for their new teams.
Reds signed Austin Hays while the Blue Jays, Orioles, and Braves whiffed big-time
Santander signed a five-year, $92.5 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, entering the offseason as one of the most sought-after outfielders not named Juan Soto. However, he’s fallen far short of expectations. In 49 games, the 30-year-old is batting just .181 with a .576 OPS and a -0.8 fWAR. While Santander has never been known for elite on-base skills, his current performance is well below his career norms.
Tyler O’Neill started the season with a bang, hitting a home run in each of his first six games for the Baltimore Orioles. But he’s done little since. O’Neill signed a three-year, $49.5 million contract this offseason—a deal that likely has the Orioles’ front office second-guessing. Limited by injuries to just 24 games, he’s managed only two home runs and is slashing .188/.280/.325. He’s currently on the injured list for the second time this year, though a return appears near.
Jurickson Profar seemed to be exactly what the Atlanta Braves needed through his first four games—until he tested positive for PEDs. He received an 80-game suspension and will be ineligible for the postseason should Atlanta make a run.
Other disappointments include Joc Pederson, who’s hitting just .131 for the Texas Rangers after signing a two-year, $37 million deal. Jesse Winker struggled with a .239 average before landing on the injured list. Michael Conforto is hitting just .172 with a 73 OPS+, making his $17.5 million contract a major misfire for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Trade targets such as Luis Robert (69 OPS+), Taylor Ward (.218/.265/.493), and Jesús Sánchez (.246/.344/.377) haven’t fared much better.
One bright spot has been the Cincinnati Reds’ low-risk signing of Austin Hays. What initially seemed like a minor move has turned into a big win, with Hays overcoming injury concerns and becoming a key contributor. Reds fans are now hopeful he stays in Cincinnati for the long haul.
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