The MLB trade deadline is just 32 days away and the hot stove is indeed beginning to heat up.
Rumors are starting to swirl quite frequently, and part of those have involved Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes.
According to BBWAA writer Francys Romero, both the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees will be keeping an eye on Hayes leading up to the trade deadline.
Both teams have struggled quite a bit at third base this season, as shown by their combined minus-0.2 Wins Above Average at the position.
Hayes burst onto the scene during the COVID-shortened 2020 season and finished sixth in Rookie of the Year voting after posting a slash line of .376/.442/.682 across 24 games and 95 plate appearances.
He has also shown the ability to play excellent defense, showcased by his Gold Glove Award two seasons ago. That was also his best all-around full season at the plate, as he hit .271 with 31 extra-base hits and 20 stolen bases.
Most defensive runs saved among all MLB players:…since 2020: Ke’Bryan Hayes (44)…since 2021: Ke’Bryan Hayes (40)…since 2022: Ke’Bryan Hayes (24)Hayes entered the league in 2020. pic.twitter.com/Boo3FvmdBk
— Danny Vietti (@DannyVietti) January 17, 2023
Hayes has struggled quite a bit since then, including this season as he has an OPS of just .602, the second-worst among all third baseman and sixth-worst in the entire league.
Neither the Yankees nor Cubs have a third baseman that has enough at-bats to qualify for the list, meaning Hayes would more than likely be a massive upgrade over the players currently getting consistent at-bats on those teams.
Because of Hayes being on an extremely team-friendly contract (eight years, $70 million), the price to get him will be quite steep. It could take two or even three top 30 organizational prospects to acquire him.
Pittsburgh lacks a bit of outfield depth at the minor league level, and both New York and Chicago have the resources to send to the Pirates, should that be the asking price.
Whatever it eventually may be, Hayes could bring back quite the return of players for Pittsburgh.
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