MLB Rumors: Mets Interested In All-Star Outfielder

December 24, 2025 , ,
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Austin Hays hits the ball during 2025 game.

The New York Mets are still circling the top of the free-agent market, but their latest buzz points in a different direction. 

According to Jon Heyman, the club has discussed Austin Hays internally, indicating that the front office is at least open to a more modest move as it works through a long list of offseason needs.

Austin Hays fits Mets lineup needs

Hays checks a few boxes the Mets clearly care about right now. He is a right-handed hitter coming off a solid season with the Cincinnati Reds, where he posted a .768 OPS and showed real damage against left-handed pitching. 

That matters for a lineup that has leaned left-heavy and struggled in those matchups. Hays is not the kind of name that changes the entire offense, but he brings stability, corner outfield experience, and production that has held up over time.

Last season, the 30-year-old posted a .266/.315/.453 triple-slash line, with 15 home runs, 64 RBIs, seven stolen bases, and 60 runs scored across 103 games played. He was an All-Star in the 2023 season with the Baltimore Orioles.

Mets weighing flexibility over splash

The timing of the interest is telling. New York recently moved Jeff McNeil to the Athletics and has already lost Brandon Nimmo, which leaves the outfield thin and unfinished. 

While fans are hoping for Cody Bellinger or Kyle Tucker, Hays represents a path that keeps payroll flexible and leaves room for pitching additions later. That appears to line up with how David Stearns has operated so far, prioritizing short-term commitments and optionality rather than forcing a massive deal early.

Hays would not quiet every concern around the Mets’ offseason, but he would address a real roster gap at a manageable cost. 

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

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