Pirates escaped just in time as Reds brace for Ke'Bryan Hayes fallout

The Pittsburgh Pirates may deserve a quiet victory lap as the Cincinnati Reds prepare for an uncomfortable reality with Ke’Bryan Hayes.

With slugger Eugenio Suárez expected to begin a rehab assignment this week ahead of a return from the injured list, the Reds suddenly have a roster and lineup crunch on their hands. And according to growing discussion around Cincinnati, Hayes may be the odd man out.

That development says everything Pirates fans already knew, and the Reds are now staring at the same problem that Pittsburgh once did.

Hayes has slashed just .147/.202/.233 this season while showing diminished impact even defensively compared to previous years. And with Suárez nearing a return, Cincinnati’s best offensive alignment no longer appears to include Hayes as an everyday player.

The Reds reportedly envision some combination of Suárez, Sal Stewart and Nathaniel Lowe rotating between third base, first base and designated hitter once Suárez returns. Spencer Steer also needs regular at-bats, while Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz and the crowded outfield picture further complicate matters.

Something has to give — and increasingly, that “something” looks like Hayes’ role.

Pirates fans are taking a victory lap as Reds face the same Ke'Bryan Hayes problem they once feared

For Pirates fans, this is exactly why Pittsburgh made the move to trade Hayes in the first place.

The Pirates spent years hoping the former first-round pick would rediscover the offensive upside he flashed early in his career. Instead, injuries piled up, the power vanished and the offensive production became nearly impossible to justify in an everyday lineup.

Even during stretches where Hayes remained an elite defender, Pittsburgh’s offense constantly suffered from carrying yet another bat that opposing pitchers simply did not fear. Eventually, the Pirates made the difficult but necessary decision to move on from the contract entirely.

That contract now looks like Cincinnati’s problem. And even though the Pirates only got an underperforming shortstop prospect in Sammy Stafura, a veteran pitcher they immediately flipped in Taylor Rogers and cash considerations, it's hard to argue that Pittsburgh didn't win this trade.

The Reds still owe Hayes roughly $30 million through 2029, making a full release unrealistic in the near future. But benching him? That suddenly feels very real — especially with Suárez returning. And if Hayes does slide into a reserve role once Suárez is activated, it will only reinforce what Pirates fans have been saying for a long time: Pittsburgh got out at exactly the right time (if not a few years two late).

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