SAN FRANCISCO -- The Pirates’ first big move this Trade Deadline brought an end to the tenure of one of their longest rostered players and one-time owner of the largest contract in franchise history, as they sent Ke'Bryan Hayes to the Reds on Wednesday. Coming to Pittsburgh are lefty reliever Taylor Rogers and Minor League infielder Sammy Stafura.
While most of the trade chatter around the Pirates has centered around their rental players and Mitch Keller and David Bednar, a Hayes trade always seemed like a possibility given his lack of offensive production, injury history and the other options they have on the roster. That didn’t lessen the impact he had on the team.
TRADE DETAILS
Pirates get: LHP Taylor Rogers, SS Sammy Stafura (CIN No. 9 prospect)
Reds get: 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes
“It was cool to see him grow, win the Gold Glove, go through the ups and downs, the back stuff that he dealt with, finding a way this year to get on a program that allowed him to stay on the field,” manager Don Kelly said after the Pirates’ 2-1 victory in 10 innings over the Giants at Oracle Park on Wednesday. “It's one of those things in the business that you understand happens, especially this time of year with the Trade Deadline. Just want to wish him the best.”
The Pirates have been the only organization Hayes has ever known after the team selected him in the first round of the 2015 Draft. He blossomed into a Gold Glove-winning third baseman in Pittsburgh, taking home the hardware in 2023, and his 91 defensive runs saved since his Major League debut in 2020 are the most in baseball.
The bat, however, has been light again this year, as Hayes has slashed .236/.279/.290 with two home runs, 36 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.
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Recurring back injuries have been attributed to some of his offensive struggles over his career, and while Hayes has avoided the injured list, he has made swing modifications (most notably a two-handed finish) that haven’t translated to a higher OPS thus far.
Hayes was seen as a franchise cornerstone early in his Pirates career, inking what was once the largest contract in franchise history on Opening Day 2022 (it was since surpassed by Bryan Reynolds in 2023 and Keller in 2024). He still has $36 million remaining on that contract from 2026-2029, with $6 million being a buyout of a 2030 club option that’s valued at $12 million.
That contract may not have been catastrophic, but the Pirates need to find a way to generate more offense. Third base is a key offensive position, and now they will have more money to spend this winter to improve the 2026 team, which has been the stated goal for this Trade Deadline.
Stafura, 20, ranked as the Reds’ No. 9 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, and he was their second-round Draft pick in 2023. He has hit .262 with an .804 OPS and 28 stolen bases for Single-A Daytona this year. His speed tool is his highest rated, according to MLB Pipeline, coming in at a 65-grade, but he has favorable grades across the board, including a 50-grade hit tool. Stafura slides into the Pirates' prospect rankings at No. 7.
Rogers has pitched to a 2.45 ERA over 33 innings this season out of the Reds’ bullpen. The 10-year veteran is set to be a free agent at the end of the season, and according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, there could be a market for him to be flipped before Thursday’s Deadline.
The Pirates have another Gold Glove third baseman in the Minors in Jared Triolo, who has also struggled at the plate, but it’s fair to speculate that some of that might have to do with his inconsistent playing time. While his glove may not be quite as Golden as that of Hayes, the Pirates could either replicate most of Hayes’ production with Triolo or swing for the fences with someone else this winter.
The goal is to compete in 2026. For years, it seemed like Hayes would be part of the next competitive team. Instead, it will just have to be his influence he left on the club.
“Just getting to be under him for so long and getting to play in the infield with him for the last two or three years has been awesome,” Nick Gonzales said. “You learn so much from that guy just from the way he does his business every day. I wish nothing but the best for Key.”