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.