Reds decline 2026 options on Hays, Barlow, Suter
This browser does not support the video element.
CINCINNATI -- Ahead of Thursday's deadline, the Reds declined the 2026 options on three players.
Left fielder Austin Hays did not have his $12 million mutual option picked up by the club and will receive a $1 million buyout. Right-handed reliever Scott Barlow had his $6.5 million club option declined and also got a $1 million buyout. Left-handed reliever Brent Suter's $3 million club option was declined, and he got a $250,000 buyout.
The moves were all expected.
All three players became free agents, and Cincinnati's 40-man roster has 32 players. General manager Brad Meador indicated that the club remained open to bringing each back with new deals.
Hays, who signed a one-year, $5 million contract on Jan. 30, batted .266 with a .768 OPS, 15 home runs and 64 RBIs during his lone season with Cincinnati. The 30-year-old was limited to 103 games because of three stints on the injured list with three different injuries. He also missed a handful of games during the final week of the season because of back spasms.
Barlow, 32, was signed on Feb. 13 to a one-year, $2.5 million contract and became one of the Reds' bullpen workhorses. Over a career-high 75 appearances, tied for seventh in MLB, he was 6-3 with a 4.21 ERA and one save. Of Barlow's 39 inherited runners, 30 were left stranded.
Suter, 36, was 1-2 with a 4.52 ERA in 48 games, including three starts, during his second season with his hometown Cincinnati club. On April 30 vs. St. Louis, he worked a season-high 3 2/3 innings. In November 2024, his option was declined, but he was subsequently re-signed to a one-year, $2.5 million contract.
Hays, Barlow and Suter joined swingman pitcher Nick Martinez, closer Emilio Pagán, starting pitchers Zack Littell and Wade Miley, utility player Santiago Espinal, designated hitter Miguel Andujar and reliever Ian Gibaut as Reds who have hit the free-agent market.