The Mets have some interest in free agent outfielder Austin Hays, and have discussed him internally. This is according to Jon Heyman of The New York Post.
Austin Hays. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The right-handed outfielder, who will be turning 31 mid-season in 2026, is coming off a season in which he had a .768 OPS for the Reds. After years of moving around in the outfield, Hays stuck to left field in 2025, whenever he was asked to play the field.
Hays had stark platoon splits last year. While he struggled against righties, slashing .249/.286/.422, he mashed lefties, finishing the year slashing .319/.400/.549 in 91 at-bats against southpaws. And after the year in which the Mets struggled offensively against lefties, president of baseball operations David Stearns has expressed a desire to sign a right-handed hitter to better solve that issue in 2026. Perhaps the Mets see value in his prowess in that area.
Hays grades out as an average defender, so the interest largely lies in his hitting against lefties.
After parts of seven seasons with the Orioles, Hays was dealt to the Phillies in 2024 before signing with the Reds last year.
The Mets will need to continue to add bats, particularly ones that can play the outfield, after trading away Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil over the last couple of weeks.
