Mets Pursue Austin Hays as Outfield Upgrade

The New York Mets are knee-deep in an offseason outfield overhaul. Their reported interest in free agent Austin Hays signals a potential value play instead of a blockbuster splash.

With a host of familiar names gone and just Juan Soto and Tyrone Taylor returning, the Mets are exploring Hays as a possible platoon weapon. They’re still leaving the door open for bigger moves, though.

Mets Outfield Reset After a Massive Roster Shake-Up

The Mets’ outfield has been almost completely stripped down since the end of the 2025 season. What used to be a crowded depth chart is now an open competition, with only a couple of established pieces left standing.

New York watched a significant portion of its 2025 outfield walk in free agency. They also used trades to create flexibility for future moves.

The current group looks thin on both proven production and defensive stability.

Who’s Gone – And Who’s Left in Queens

The turnover has been dramatic. The Mets lost the following outfielders to free agency:

On top of that, they traded away Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil, two long-time lineup fixtures who also provided outfield coverage. Now, Juan Soto and Tyrone Taylor are the only holdovers from last year’s group.

Taylor is under contract for $3.8 million in 2026. His 2025 line of .223/.279/.319 and a 70 wRC+ paints him more as a fourth outfielder than a locked-in starter.

That reality is pushing the Mets to search for upgrades.

Why Austin Hays Is on the Mets’ Radar

Enter Austin Hays, a free agent outfielder with a solid—if imperfect—track record. He’s not a star, but he brings something the Mets lack: a proven big league bat with defined strengths that can be strategically deployed.

Hays has built a reputation as a slightly above-average offensive player. He may not change the franchise’s trajectory on his own, but he can help stabilize an outfield in transition.

Offensive Profile: A Slightly Above-Average Bat

Hays owns a career mark around a 105 wRC+, meaning he’s been about five percent better than league average at the plate. In 2025, he delivered a .266/.315/.453 slash line, showing he’s a competent, steady offensive contributor when healthy.

The key nuance: Hays’ value swings heavily based on pitching matchups. A right-handed hitter, he’s struggled against right-handed pitching but has punished left-handers.

Platoon Weapon: Dominant vs Left-Handed Pitching

Where Hays really shines is against southpaws. In 2025, he posted a 155 wRC+ versus left-handed pitching, which is elite in that split.

That kind of dominance makes him an ideal candidate for a short-side platoon role. For a Mets lineup often built around Soto and other left-handed bats, adding a right-handed hitter who feasts on lefties just makes sense.

He doesn’t need to be an everyday player to make an impact.

Defensive Concerns and Durability Questions

The case for Hays isn’t all upside. The Mets would be betting on targeted usage rather than a full-time solution, and that’s as much about his defense and health as his bat.

In recent seasons, Hays’ glove hasn’t graded as positively as it once did. He was once a defensive asset, but now he’s seen a noticeable decline in the outfield metrics that front offices care about.

Injuries Limiting His Availability

There’s also the durability issue. Hays hasn’t played more than 103 games in each of the last two seasons, with injuries keeping him off the field too often.

For a team trying to rebuild stability in its outfield, that’s a real concern.

Hays in the Bigger Picture of the Mets’ Offseason Plans

Hays is just one name on a much broader Mets shopping list. New York has also been connected to higher-impact options, some of whom would dramatically change the look of the lineup.

The front office seems to be operating on multiple tracks. They’re exploring star-level acquisitions while also lining up affordable, role-specific pieces like Hays.

How He Would Fit Alongside Bigger Names

The Mets have been linked to free agents like Cody Bellinger and Kyle Tucker. Trade rumors also swirl around Luis Robert Jr., who’d require a big salary and a pile of prospects. That makes chasing him a much trickier project.

If Hays lands in Queens, he’d likely take on a short-side platoon role and start mostly against left-handed pitchers. Taylor could then move to a more natural spot on the bench, while the front office keeps searching for a true everyday outfield upgrade.

 
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