The Royals may not be done reshaping their outfield just yet.
Despite adding Isaac Collins and Lane Thomas earlier this offseason, Kansas City is reportedly still interested in veteran outfielder Austin Hays. That’s according to new reporting, which reinforces what’s been clear for a while now: president of baseball operations J.J. Picollo is actively hunting for upgrades after a rough 2025 showing from his outfield group.
And rough might be putting it lightly. Royals outfielders ranked dead last in Major League Baseball in nearly every major offensive category last season-runs, RBI, OBP, OPS, wRC+, and FanGraphs WAR.
That kind of across-the-board struggle doesn’t get fixed with one or two moves, and Picollo seems to know it. Adding Hays could give Kansas City a right-handed bat with a proven track record against lefties and a steady glove in left field.
But Kansas City isn’t the only team keeping tabs on Hays. The Yankees have reportedly “checked in” as well, though their level of interest likely hinges on what happens with Cody Bellinger.
Bellinger remains New York’s top priority this offseason, and for good reason. He was a cornerstone of one of the most productive outfield units in baseball in 2025.
The Yankees led the majors in runs, homers, RBI, and all three slash-line metrics from their outfielders last season, with Bellinger playing a central role alongside Aaron Judge and Trent Grisham.
So while it’s no surprise the Yankees want Bellinger back, the Hays connection is new-and intriguing. If Bellinger signs elsewhere, Hays could be part of a Plan B, though he’s clearly not the same caliber of addition.
A month ago, the Yankees were linked to Kyle Tucker as a potential fallback option. Hays doesn’t bring Tucker’s upside, and it’s fair to wonder whether he’d even represent a clear upgrade over internal options like Jasson Domínguez or Amed Rosario.
Domínguez, a switch-hitting prospect with sky-high potential, may be ready for more regular at-bats. Rosario, while not a natural outfielder, is already on the roster and could fill a right-handed utility role. So the Yankees’ interest in Hays might say more about due diligence than any major shift in their outfield plans-but it’s worth watching, especially if Bellinger ends up elsewhere.
The Mets have also reportedly discussed Hays internally. That fits, considering the turnover they’ve seen in the outfield this winter.
Between free agency departures and trades, there’s room for reinforcements in Queens. Like the Yankees, the Mets are known to be pursuing Bellinger, and they’ve also shown interest in White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr.
So Hays might not be Plan A, but he’s clearly on the radar.
Now 30 years old, Hays is coming off a quietly solid season with the Reds. In 103 games and 416 plate appearances, he hit .266 with 15 home runs and a .453 slugging percentage-good for a 105 wRC+.
He also went a perfect 7-for-7 on stolen base attempts and continued to handle left field with competence. As has been the case throughout his career, Hays did his best work against left-handed pitching, posting a .949 OPS and 155 wRC+ in those matchups.
Hays may not be an everyday starter on a contending team, but he’s carved out a valuable niche as a platoon-friendly, versatile outfielder. Across eight MLB seasons with the Orioles, Phillies, and Reds, he’s shown he can contribute in the right role-and that’s exactly the kind of player teams like the Royals, Yankees, and Mets are keeping in mind as they fine-tune their rosters for 2026.