Cincinnati Reds Cannot Afford Another Complementary Move Disguised as Their MAIN Outfield Addition

The Cincinnati Reds face critical offseason decisions as player options and free agency loom. Should the team bring back Austin Hays at $12 million, or let him walk after an injury-plagued season that produced barely above league-average results? Relief pitchers Scott Barlow and Brent Suter have club options worth considering, while closer Emilio Pagán enters free agency after a strong 32-save campaign.

Jeff Carr and Steven Offenbaker analyze each decision, making a compelling case for Miguel Andújar as the perfect fourth outfielder after his impressive .359/.400/.544 slash line in 34 games with Cincinnati. The hosts also debate Ke'Bryan Hayes' Gold Glove award and whether his elite defense justifies keeping him despite offensive struggles that produced a 65 OPS+ in 2025. The conversation repeatedly emphasizes one crucial point: none of these complementary moves matter unless the Cincinnati Reds first acquire a power-hitting outfielder capable of 30-35 home runs. The team's current roster construction resembles "a bunch of fourth outfielders" rather than a competitive lineup.

Tune in now for expert analysis on how the Cincinnati Reds should navigate these roster decisions and finally address their glaring outfield weakness.

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0:00 Intro

2:21 Austin Hays mutual option decision

6:19 Hays as baseline, not feature move

8:06 Scott Barlow and Brent Suter options

11:05 Miguel Andújar as complementary outfield piece

15:22 Andújar's platoon splits and potential role

18:22 Emilio Pagán's market value discussion

21:17 Ke'Bryan Hayes wins Gold Glove again

25:35 Trading Hayes for major league help

29:38 Sal Stewart at third base possibility

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