Chicago Cubs Are "Potential Suitors" For Pittsburgh Pirates 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes

[Matthew Lenz]

Independent reporter, Francys Romero, is citing "industry sources" saying that the Chicago Cubs are "potential suitors" for Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes.

Hayes, 28, is controllable through 2030 on an extremely team friendly deal that has him averaging less than $9 million per season.

A former top 100 prospect across all of baseball, Hayes' bat hasn't really lived up to the hype, though he is one of the best defensive third basemen in all of baseball.

Hayes has always been a below average hitter, though this season he is slashing .236/.290/.290 with just two home runs and nine stolen bases. The lack of production puts him an abysmal 38% worse than the average player (62 wRC+).

Even with his glove and contract, would you like to see the Cubs pursue Hayes?

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[Bertz]

[javy knows my name]

Why would we do this

[Rex Buckingham]

Maybe if he makes the package to get Keller and Bednar lighter? Otherwise, he's been Justin Turner level with the bat this year, so no thanks

[Derwood]

He's measurably worse than Shaw

[Tryptamine]

Sure if Shaw is part of the deal along with numerous other prospects for Skenes, otherwise hard pass.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Very similar to McMahon in that you can reasonably imagine a development win that makes him a solid player that's good value, but his contract is a high enough AAV(and a very long term commitment in Hayes' case) that I don't think it'll be practical to make a trade happen Pittsburgh would agree to.

One other slightly positive note, even when Hayes hasn't been a plus offensive player in previous years, he still hit lefties well.  So if this year is a write off for some easily sorted reason, he would be an interesting if unconventional Turner replacement.

[Stratos]

On 6/28/2025 at 9:55 PM, javy knows my name said:

Why would we do this

 

[Stratos]

"Potential suitor" sounds speculative to me.

[Hot Sauce]

Oddly enough, I am open to the idea of Hayes. It would take some convincing, likely over drinks, but I’m at least at the table and listening. 

[NorthsideAvenger]

Is Hayes an upgrade over Shaw? If the answer is no, then why are we discussing this? Hayes is a throw in to a larger deal type talent. If he comes with Skenes, fine, I'd take him mainly because Shaw is likely to be in that deal but if Hayes is by himself, he does not improve this team and thus the Cubs should be looking elsewhere. 

[Bertz]

Hayes is also a good reminder that 7 years is a long time and we don't need to be in a huge rush to extend everybody

[chibears55]

Ehhh, they CAN do much better if Hoyer willing to move their better prospects. 

If an upgrade is to be made at 3B, it should be Suarez or nobody.

[chibears55]

3 minutes ago, Bertz said:

Hayes is also a good reminder that 7 years is a long time and we don't need to be in a huge rush to extend everybody

Yep, July 2023, I would be saying get this done yesterday, now it a pass for me.

[javy knows my name]

Hayes, as a mediocre player locked up until the end of time for cheap, is far more valuable to the Pirates than he is to anyone else. 

[Rcal10]

52 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

Ehhh, they CAN do much better if Hoyer willing to move their better prospects. 

If an upgrade is to be made at 3B, it should be Suarez or nobody.

I get your point that Suarez should be someone they are after. But there are other upgrades with lesser guys. I would take McMahon if he came for a low level prospect. And he shouldn’t cost more than that. He is not great but still does have some pop in his bat. And he is also good defensively. I would also be okay with Castro of the twins. I am sure there are a few more. Yes, 100%, Suarez should be the reach guy they consider. But they can improve at 3rd with a lesser deal too. I do not see Hayes improving them. 

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I would guess Hayes and his contract are bandied about in conversations to lessen the prospect cost for a pitcher. I wouldn't be surprised if he was then dealt again before the deadline for more pitching. Then by 2030 we will all have forgotten about the time he played for the Cubs for 8 games.

[chibears55]

3 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

I get your point that Suarez should be someone they are after. But there are other upgrades with lesser guys. I would take McMahon if he came for a low level prospect. And he shouldn’t cost more than that. He is not great but still does have some pop in his bat. And he is also good defensively. I would also be okay with Castro of the twins. I am sure there are a few more. Yes, 100%, Suarez should be the reach guy they consider. But they can improve at 3rd with a lesser deal too. I do not see Hayes improving them. 

Yes I agree with McMahon, I actually said a while back that I think he'll be the one they probably get if they decide to make a move there.

Just saying, if theyre looking to add a 3Bmen sooner rather then waiting til closer to deadline, Suarez not Hayes or anyone else should be on their radar now and do what it takes to bring him in until the asking price is too crazy or AZ decides to keep him or move him elsewhere. 

 

[chibears55]

1 minute ago, Ding Dong Johnson said:

I would guess Hayes and his contract are bandied about in conversations to lessen the prospect cost for a pitcher. I wouldn't be surprised if he was then dealt again before the deadline for more pitching. Then by 2030 we will all have forgotten about the time he played for the Cubs for 8 games.

But what if he pulls a Castellanos in those 8 games and hits like 5 homers 😅

[Rcal10]

15 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

Yes I agree with McMahon, I actually said a while back that I think he'll be the one they probably get if they decide to make a move there.

Just saying, if theyre looking to add a 3Bmen sooner rather then waiting til closer to deadline, Suarez not Hayes or anyone else should be on their radar now and do what it takes to bring him in until the asking price is too crazy or AZ decides to keep him or move him elsewhere. 

 

I just don’t think Az is selling just yet. And after looking again, I really don’t want McMahon. I would rather go with Castro and at the very least he would be bench help. But probably start at 3rd a bit too. 

[mul21]

[chopsx9]

Javi! Javi! Javi!

[Tryptamine]

Oh my god he had a sub .300 SLG in almost 400 PAs last year with a grand total of 13 xbh. Compare that to Nico's .384 SLG so far this year. That seems almost impossible. 

[Bobson Dugnutt]

I remember when he made his debut against the Cubs in 2020. After hitting a HR and a 2B in that game, I was certain he was going to be a problem for the Cubs a long time. At this point, the only way that’ll come true is if they trade for him.

[NorthsideAvenger]

The last time the Cubs traded for a young, struggling Pirate 3B it turned out pretty great for the Cubs. 

Just saying.