The Cincinnati Reds are reportedly acquiring third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes from the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
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Reliever Taylor Rogers and 20-year-old shortstop prospect Sammy Stafura is the return for the Pirates, who could remain active ahead of Thursday’s MLB trade deadline.
Hayes, 28, is in his sixth MLB season and in the middle of an eight-year, $70 million contract signed in 2022. He will remain under Reds’ control through 2029.
Through 100 games this season Hayes is slashing .236/.279/.290 with two home runs and 36 RBI. While he isn’t lighting it up with the bat, he is known for his defensive prowess at the hot corner. A Gold Glove Award winner, Hayes recorded 21 Defensive Runs Saved to lead all MLB third basemen in 2023.
Hayes also combined for 36 Outs Above Average over the 2022 and 2023 season, according to Baseball Savant, second among all MLB players over that span.
“Anytime he’s out there on defense, he’s going to wow you,” Pirates manager Don Kelly told MLB.com in June. “He’s unbelievable over there.”
The addition of Hayes will help a Reds teams that has been looking for defensive help as they make a playoff push. As of Wednesday, Cincinnati sits 8.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central, but are only three games out of a wild card place.
