The Pittsburgh Pirates’ standout third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes is reportedly on the radar of the Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, and New York Yankees, per Jon Heyman and Francys Romero. While the Pirates have indicated a willingness to trade anyone except Paul Skenes and Andrew McCutchen, questions remain about whether core pieces like David Bednar, Oneil Cruz, or Bryan Reynolds are truly available.
Hayes, known for elite defense, has struggled at the plate this season despite a hot June where he hit .301, bringing his season average to .247 with just two home runs. He’s signed through 2029 with $7-8 million salaries each year, and a pricey team option in 2030. Any team trading for him would need to absorb his contract—something the Pirates’ ownership is unlikely to subsidize.
Internally, Pittsburgh lacks a clear replacement at third. Jared Triolo is solid defensively but has slumped offensively since his promising rookie season, and shifting Isiah Kiner-Falefa would leave holes at shortstop. Minor leaguers like Tsung-Che Cheng and Liover Peguero haven’t proven themselves ready, and top prospect Nick Yorke has no experience on the left side of the infield.
That means any Hayes trade would likely require a major-league-ready third baseman coming back, or GM Ben Cherington would need another deal lined up. However, skepticism lingers over Cherington’s ability to maximize returns given his mixed track record: from 2020-21, he dealt nine major leaguers for 23 prospects, but only four have played significant time with Pittsburgh.
The Pirates have been playing better under new manager Don Kelly, going 26-24 and enjoying a six-game winning streak. Still, the upcoming trade deadline will be a pivotal test for Cherington’s leadership as speculation swirls around Hayes’ future.
Pirates Face Dilemma as Hayes Attracts Trade Interest, But Questions Remain
