When the Philadelphia Phillies traded for Austin Hays at last summer's trade deadline, they thought they had left field taken care of through the end of 2024 and for 2025. It didn't turn out that way, and on Tuesday, the former Phillies outfielder agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal with the Cincinnati Reds (subscription required), The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported.
The deal also includes $1 million of incentives, and after Hays' problems staying healthy for the Phillies, he'll be as inclined as ever to make good on the Reds' belief in him. Whether he will get a full-time role in their outfield remains to be seen, however. He's just the latest in the Reds' offseason of veteran additions, Rosenthal notes, after also signing free-agent reliever Brent Suter and trading for right-hander Brady Singer, catcher Jose Trevino and second baseman Gavin Lux this winter.
Former Phillies outfielder Austin Hays will be looking for redemption with the Reds this season
In need of outfield help last season, the Phillies acquired Hays from the Baltimore Orioles for bench outfielder Cristian Pache and right-handed reliever Seranthony Domínguez. They had hoped that the 2023 All-Star could recapture his form with regular playing time after being relegated to a platoon role by the Orioles.
Unfortunately for Hays and the Phillies, it was a complete disaster. He only played 22 games over the season's final two months, with two stints on the IL with a hamstring injury followed by a scary kidney infection. He hit just .256 with a .672 OPS, two home runs, six RBI and eight runs scored while adding a pair of stolen bases. He struck out 19 times in his 80 plate appearances without earning a single walk.
With Hays due to head to arbitration and projected to earn $6.4 million this winter, the Phillies cut bait at the non-tender deadline, looking to go in a different direction. They ended up signing Max Kepler to a one-year, $10 million contract, who they hope will stick as the everyday left fielder this season.
Earlier this offseason, Hays told Rosenthal that he knows he didn't live up to expectations with the Phillies and is ready to prove himself this season.
“I know I didn’t live up to what I know I can do as a ballplayer,” Hays said shortly after being non-tendered. “I want the offseason to fly by so I can get to next year and show everybody, ‘This is me. What you saw last year, that’s a shell of me. If I can hit .260 with a kidney infection, what can I do when I’m healthy?’”
Hays will have to wait until July to get an opportunity against his former team, when the Reds visit Citizens Bank Park for a three-game series from July 4-6.