Locked On Reds

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 resemble