Pirates insiders shut down trade buzz surrounding former first-round pick

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After a disappointing 2024 season, does former first-round pick Ke'Bryan Hayes really want out of the Steel City?

In a word, no. When a rumor surfaced from a questionable source this week that the Pittsburgh Pirates' Gold Glove-winning third baseman had requested a trade, Andrew Destin and Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette were quick to set the record straight.

"It is entirely a rumor, and there is nothing to it," Destin said. "From conversations I’ve had within and outside the organization, there does not appear to be anything imminent on the trade front regarding Ke’Bryan Hayes. The Gold Glove third baseman’s best value, especially on his current contract, is to hope he returns to form with the Pirates. If not, then the contract certainly could be an albatross. But given his 2024 campaign, it would be very difficult to find fair value in any trade for Hayes."

Stephen J. Nesbitt of The Athletic later corroborated Destin and Hiles' report that the rumors of Hayes requesting a trade were false. While on a very team-friendly contract making $8 million per year through 2029 with a club option for 2030, Hayes is still coming off the worst season of his career at the plate as he continues to struggle with persistent back issues. Even if he did want a change of scenery, his trade value has never been lower.

Pirates insiders shut down trade buzz surrounding Gold Glove winner Ke'Bryan Hayes

Defensively, Hayes has averaged 15 defensive runs saved and just over 11 outs above average over five years in the big leagues. He's also just one season removed from having his best season at the plate, batting .271/.309/.453 with 15 home runs and 61 RBI in 2023.

Things took a turn in 2024, however, when Hayes slashed .233/.283/.290 with four home runs over 96 games before his nagging back injury shut him down for the season. Whether Hayes' defensive prowess outweighs his offensive ineptitude on the trade market is debatable; but either way, it doesn't matter. He has not requested a trade out of Pittsburgh, and he is still slotted in as the Pirates' starting third baseman in 2025.

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