The Cincinnati Reds declined options on three players who made their playoff roster in 2025, making them free agents this offseason.The Reds announced Wednesday that they declined club options on relief pitchers Brent Suter and Scott Barlow. The Reds also declined their end of a mutual option for outfielder Austin Hays.Those three players now become free agents and are available to sign with any club as free agency begins Thursday.Barlow and Suter were two of the most-used relievers this season for manager Terry Francona, appearing in a combined 123 games.Barlow, 32, had a 4.21 ERA in 68.1 innings, often pitching in high-leverage spots ahead of closer Emilio Pagan, who is also a free agent this winter.Suter, a left-hander, was used against fellow left-handed hitters or in long-relief spurts, delivering a 4.52 ERA in 67.2 innings.A graduate of Moeller High School in Cincinnati, Suter has spent the last two seasons with the Reds and won the 2025 Marvin Miller Man of the Year award for his efforts in the community.Hays, 30, battled injuries throughout the 2025 season but was one of Cincinnati’s strongest hitters in the 103 games he played in.Hays hit. 266 with a .315 on-base percentage, 15 home runs and 64 runs batted in during his first season with the Reds.Hays signed a one-year deal with the Reds before the 2025 season, with a mutual option for the 2026 season.The Reds will pay a $1 million buyout to Barlow and Hays, and a $250,000 buyout to Suter.

CINCINNATI —

The Cincinnati Reds declined options on three players who made their playoff roster in 2025, making them free agents this offseason.

The Reds announced Wednesday that they declined club options on relief pitchers Brent Suter and Scott Barlow. The Reds also declined their end of a mutual option for outfielder Austin Hays.

Those three players now become free agents and are available to sign with any club as free agency begins Thursday.

Barlow and Suter were two of the most-used relievers this season for manager Terry Francona, appearing in a combined 123 games.

Barlow, 32, had a 4.21 ERA in 68.1 innings, often pitching in high-leverage spots ahead of closer Emilio Pagan, who is also a free agent this winter.

Suter, a left-hander, was used against fellow left-handed hitters or in long-relief spurts, delivering a 4.52 ERA in 67.2 innings.

A graduate of Moeller High School in Cincinnati, Suter has spent the last two seasons with the Reds and won the 2025 Marvin Miller Man of the Year award for his efforts in the community.

Hays, 30, battled injuries throughout the 2025 season but was one of Cincinnati’s strongest hitters in the 103 games he played in.

Hays hit. 266 with a .315 on-base percentage, 15 home runs and 64 runs batted in during his first season with the Reds.

Hays signed a one-year deal with the Reds before the 2025 season, with a mutual option for the 2026 season.

The Reds will pay a $1 million buyout to Barlow and Hays, and a $250,000 buyout to Suter.