The Cincinnati Reds appear to be buyers this trade deadline. With a 56-52 record, they are firmly in the National League Wild Card race.
It appears that the Reds are going to be making a push for one of those Wild Card spots, as they made a notable move on Monday with their division rival, the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates are expected sellers, and many of their players have been the subject of trade rumors across the league.
One of those rumors became true on Monday when the Reds acquired an infielder from their rival.
Reds Acquiring Ke’Bryan Hayes From the Pirates
Ke’Bryan Hayes is headed to the Cincinnati Reds after a trade was completed with the Pittsburgh Pirates for their third baseman. The Reds had been rumored to be in the market for a third baseman, with rumblings of Eugenio Suarez swirling around.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan was among the first on the news. Hayes has five years left of team control after the Pirates signed him to an eight-year, $70 million deal back in 2022. He is one of the best defensive third basemen in baseball, but has dealt with injuries in his career, and hasn’t been that great with the bat either.
In return, the Pirates are getting shortstop prospect Sammy Stafura and relief pitcher Taylor Rodgers.
Hayes has played in 100 games this season and has a .236 average with just two home runs and an OPS of .569.
For the Reds, it remains to be seen if this will turn out to be a good deal, and Hayes wouldn’t even necessarily be the best third baseman on their team. Noelvi Marte has been their third baseman for 39 games this season, and has seven home runs, 27 RBIs, and an OPS of .829. So while it was known that the Reds were shopping for an infielder, the move for Hayes is a bit puzzling, but only time will tell, and maybe he blossoms in a new uniform.
Pirates Likely Wanted to Get off Hayes’ Contract
What does make sense about this deal is the Pittsburgh Pirates getting off Hayes’ contract, which is fairly pricey for a below-average hitter. He has just 39 homers over six major league seasons, and he’s yet to have an OPS of over .770. 2023 was his best year when he had 15 home runs and 31 doubles, and hit over .270, but he hasn’t really been able to figure it out at the plate since.
Steve Adams of MLBtraderumors.com was also quick on the news, and here’s what he had to say about some of Hayes’ injuries:
“Unfortunately for Hayes and the Pirates, back injuries have become a recurring problem in Hayes’ still-young career. He’s spent significant time on the injured list due to back troubles in 2022, 2023 and 2024 — totaling five IL stints due to his back in that period of three years. Hayes still managed a league-average season at the plate in 2023 (.271/.309/.453, 100 wRC+, 15 homers, 10 steals) but he’s been a well below-average hitter since. In 788 plate appearances dating back to Opening Day 2024, he’s mustered only a .234/.281/.290 batting line (58 wRC+).”
Pirates Complete Trade With Division Rival for $70 Million Third Baseman