The Pittsburgh Pirates and Ke’Bryan Hayes have agreed to a long-term extension which will keep their star third basemen in Pittsburgh for at least 8 more years.
MLB insider and FanSided writer, Robert Murray announced that the Pittsburgh Pirates and Ke’Bryan Hayes are in agreement on an eight-year, $70-million contact extension. This extension will include a club option for a ninth season. Hayes has set history with the Pirates with the largest guaranteed contract in team history.
Ke’Bryan Hayes was drafted back in 2015 with the Pirates in the first round, 32nd overall. He has a total of 447 at-bats with the organization at the big league level with a slash line of .280/.340/.432. He has 11 homeruns and an OPS of .772.
Hayes has battled through some injuries as of late. In 2021, He dealt with a wrist injury that had him out from game two until June. This spring he was sidelined because of sprained ankle, but has made the Opening Day lineup today against the St. Louis Cardinals.
While Hayes still has growing to do offensively he is already an elite defensive third baseman. To be honest, he may already be the best defender at the hot corner in all of baseball. If he can combine his defensive prowess with even average offensive output his contract will be a bargain for the Pirates.
Either way, it looks the Pittsburgh Pirates are indeed looking to keep their star players which is a good sign for the future of the franchise. Time will tell on what the organization plans to do with Bryan Reynolds.