Mets interested in Austin Hays after strong season with Reds

The Mets are interested in adding a right-handed bat in free agency.

New York has discussed outfielder Austin Hays “internally and have some interest,” The Post’s Jon Heyman reported Tuesday.

The 30-year-old Hays is coming off a bounce-back 2025 in which he hit .266 with a .768 OPS across 103 games with the Reds. It came one year after Hays finished 2024 with a 98 OPS+ — two points below league average — between the Orioles and Phillies.

What makes Hays intriguing is his ability to hit lefties, as he had a .319/.400/.549 slash line in 105 plate appearances against southpaws last season.

For his career, the one-time All-Star (2023) has an .819 OPS with 25 home runs against left-handed pitchers.

The Mets, even with Pete Alonso last season, were 17th in the league in slugging percentage against lefties.

Cincinnati Reds left fielder Austin Hays (12) advances to third base on a single from Cincinnati Reds first baseman Spencer Steer (7) (not pictured) during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game 1 of the Wildcard round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Dodger Stadium. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

In what’s been an offseason filled by change, the Mets are likely still looking to fill their left field spot after Brandon Nimmo was traded to the Rangers for Marcus Semien in November, and Jeff McNeil — who had plenty of outfield experience — was sent to the A’s on Monday to break up most of the team’s long-running core.

As it stands, the Mets have Juan Soto and Tyrone Taylor in the outfield, and president of baseball operations David Stearns made clear in November that top prospect Carson Benge will have a shot to make the big club out of spring training.

Last season, Hays split his time between left field (61 games) and designated hitter (40 games).