The Reds announced that they have turned down three contract options. Outfielder Austin Hays had a $12MM mutual option on his deal but the club has declined that in favor of giving him a $1MM buyout. Right-hander Scott Barlow receives a $1MM buyout instead of a $6.5MM club option. Left-hander Brent Suter gets a $250K buyout instead of a $3MM club option. All three players are now free agents.
None of the three decisions is a shock, though there did seem to be a chance of Suter being brought back. His earned run average jumped up to 4.52 this year and he’s now 36 years old but the price isn’t egregious. He also has a strong clubhouse reputation and local ties as a guy who played high school ball in Cincinnati.
It seems that wasn’t enough for the Reds to overlook the numbers. As mentioned, his age and ERA both crept up this year. He is still doing a good job limiting hard contact, so he should still be in line for a gig somewhere. Perhaps the Reds will circle back to him and try to bring him back at a lower price point.
Barlow, 33 in December, signed with the Reds last offseason. The one-year deal came with a $2.5MM guarantee in the form of a $1.5MM salary plus the aforementioned option buyout. His 4.21 ERA this year was fairly close to last year’s 4.25 but with concerning trends under the hood. His strikeout rate dropped from 28.2% last year to 24.8% this year, his walk rate climbed from 12.9% to 14.9% and his grounder rate dropped from 47.1% to 42.9%.
Though the ERA held fairly steady, given the direction of the other numbers, it’s understandable that the Reds didn’t want to give him a relatively hefty raise. The Reds aren’t a big spender and will have about the same payroll next year, so they are keeping some powder dry for now.
As for Hays, his option always seemed destined to be bought out. It’s been over a decade since a mutual option was triggered by both sides. They are usually added to contracts as a way for the team to delay paying part of the guarantee. The Reds signed Hays last winter to a one-year, $5MM deal, with a $4MM salary and then the $1MM buyout on the $12MM mutual option.
He had a decent season, slashing .266/.315/.453 for a 105 wRC+, but that wasn’t going to be enough for the Reds to double his salary. He’ll head out to the open market to look for his next opportunity. That will likely come from a club in need of help against southpaws. Hays swings right-handed and has been better against lefty pitchers in his career. That includes a .319/.400/.549 line and 155 wRC+ in 2025.
Photo courtesy of Aaron Doster, Imagn Images
Hays had a nice little bounce back yr with cincy
I agree with all of these as the best move
They’ll sign Suter on a smaller deal.
Why? His age.is just going to continue to creep up (as will every players) and Cincinnati doesn’t like that!
There’s almost 17 million in lettuce for Buffalo Bob to use elsewhere. Hopefully not to just feed Phil.
If they use the money on other needs, it’s good savings but we’ll see.
This just makes those other needs larger. Many holes to fill in the bullpen and on offense – with less money to spend on FAs than last year given the arbitration class. It’s going to be a disappointing offseason for Reds fans, I would imagine.
Cash strapped. Hearing the only money they save or cut is what they can spend
The Reds are cheap and are cash strapped but not in this situation. Any other team would have declined these options as well. Barlow are Suter are below average at this point. Hays, who is often injured, is average too if he could ever play 140 games in GABP.
It all depends as always on who they replace them with. If they are dumpster diving as usual, you may wish they were still around.
Need to bring back local boy suter for sure. Hays isn’t worth 12 million for sure
I wouldn’t mind if the Cards took a flyer on Hays.
Yeah him or Lane Thomas could make sense.
Hays was decent when healthy but not a cleanup guy. Better suited batting 6 or 7. Not worth $12M. Barlow was pretty good late in season but $6.5 seems high. I hope they do resign Suter. Good clubhouse guy and every pen needs a guy like him
Hays would be a fine platoon OFer with the Royals. Maybe with a re-signed Yaz?
Hays isn’t unplayable against righties and let’s be honest in that Royals outfield he’d project as an everyday bat.
This leaves them a lot of $$$ to replace Hayes with a better OF. They may negotiate with Barlow & Suter, at lower contract prices. If not, they have more $$$ to go on a RP shopping spree.
What about Hays heading north up I-71 to Cleveland.
The Reds need to go get Schwarber. Or Tucker. Its time to spend. They got a lot of good young talent its time to spend.
Pass on Tucker and maybe on schwarber but it is time to make some moves
Why pass on 2 of the best hitters available?
Reds need a lefty middle of the order bat.
their window is now..
A lot of spots to fill in OF, nobody behind Friedl and Marte, Benson may be non-tendered plus a couple of guys in AAA.
You must get money from the government. You’re pretty liberal with other people’s money.
They’re spending 120 million. You want them to spend a third on one guy, with no one around him to make people pitch to him. Elly? No one is scared to pitch to him. Not until he proves he can hit in the clutch.
And maybe in years 4 and 5 of his desired 5 year contract, Cincinnati can pay him for not playing too. Things go downhill quick for most at 35. He’s not in Nolan Ryan middle aged health.
They need to hire a front office that can build a team on their budget. Not buy one peacock to pretty up the turkey farm.