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In the wake of a transformative offseason that saw the New York Yankees navigate both triumphs and setbacks, one crucial position remains conspicuously unsettled: third base. While the organization has successfully secured notable talents like Max Fried, Paul Goldschmidt, Devin Williams, and Cody Bellinger to offset the departure of Juan Soto, the hot corner presents an ongoing challenge. With Jazz Chisholm Jr. slated to take over second base following Gleyber Torres’s exit, the search for a reliable third baseman has intensified, leading many to point toward an intriguing possibility in Pittsburgh.

Enter Ke’Bryan Hayes, the Pirates’ defensive virtuoso whose name has surfaced in Yankees-related discussions, most notably championed by veteran broadcaster Michael Kay. Yet, as with any potential acquisition of this magnitude, the devil lies in the details—particularly the prospect capital required to secure Hayes’s services.

Kay’s compelling argument for Hayes to Yankees

On a recent broadcast of The Michael Kay Show, the veteran Yankees announcer presented an enthusiastic case for pursuing Hayes, emphasizing the potentially transformative impact of such an acquisition.

“Ke’Bryan Hayes, Charlie Hayes’ son, who’s signed to a long-term very reasonable deal with the Pirates has asked to be traded,” according to Kay. “Ke’Bryan Hayes is a defensive magician at third base. His hitting is not what it should be. But, he’s obviously not happy in Pittsburgh. I talked to Charlie when the Yankees were in Pittsburgh a couple of years ago, and he was like scratching his head about some of the things they do in Pittsburgh with the hitters. Whatever the case may be and now it comes out that Ke’Bryan has demanded a trade. If I’m the Yankees, I’m calling the Pirates and go, ‘What do you want?’”

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The numbers tell a complex story. Hayes’s 2024 campaign was marked by offensive challenges, as evidenced by his .233/.283/.290 slash line, four home runs, and 59 wRC+ across 96 games before a back injury curtailed his season. However, his defensive excellence remained undimmed—six outs above average, four Statcast fielding runs, and 10 defensive runs saved (DRS) in limited action. This followed his spectacular 2023 performance, where he amassed 21 DRS en route to capturing the National League Gold Glove at third base.

Kay’s assessment extended beyond pure statistics, suggesting that the Yankees’ organizational infrastructure could catalyze Hayes’s development.

“You put him in a stable organization with the coaching and support from the Yankees’ staff, I think you would get the best of Hayes,” Kay observed.

The broadcaster also highlighted a compelling historical connection: Hayes’s father, Charlie Hayes, secured the final out of the Yankees’ 1996 World Series victory and maintains strong ties to the organization through Old-Timers’ Day appearances. The elder Hayes has previously expressed reservations about Pittsburgh’s hitting development approach.

Breaking down potential trade framework

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar
Despite recent reports from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette‘s Andrew Destin refuting rumors of a trade request from Hayes, Kay suggested that moving Marcus Stroman’s $18 million salary could create a pathway to acquire Hayes and his team-friendly contract.

A potential trade package might look like this:

Yankees Receive:

Ke’Bryan Hayes (3B, Pirates)

Contractual Control: Through 2029 with 2030 club option
Performance Metrics: 4.0 WAR (2023), 99 OPS+, +20 DRS

Pirates Receive:

Everson Pereira (OF, Yankees)

Prospect Ranking: No. 3 in the Yankees system
Minor League Stats: .300/.373/.548, 18 HRs across AA/AAA

Will Warren (RHP, Yankees)

Prospect Ranking: No. 8 in the Yankees system
Triple-A Performance: 4.35 ERA, 9.4 K/9

Clayton Beeter (RHP, Yankees)

Prospect Ranking: No. 4 in the Yankees system
Combined Stats: 3.25 ERA, 10.3 K/9 in AA/AAA

Analyzing the potential impact

The acquisition of Hayes would represent a significant defensive upgrade for the Yankees’ infield, potentially revolutionizing their internal defense. His team-friendly contract structure provides valuable financial flexibility, though questions persist about his offensive capabilities. The risk lies in surrendering premium prospects for a player whose bat hasn’t matched his glove.

From Pittsburgh’s perspective, the proposed package offers an intriguing blend of high-ceiling talent. Pereira’s combination of power and speed, coupled with two advanced pitching prospects, could accelerate their rebuilding timeline. However, trading Hayes—a fan favorite and defensive cornerstone—carries significant public relations implications, particularly if the prospects fail to develop as anticipated.

Obstacles to overcome

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Several key challenges could complicate any potential deal:

The Stroman Factor: Moving Marcus Stroman’s substantial salary represents a crucial preliminary step. Finding a trade partner willing to absorb a significant portion of his $18 million commitment could prove challenging.
Market Competition: The Yankees likely won’t be alone in pursuing Hayes, potentially forcing them to enhance their offer with additional prospects like Austin Wells or Spencer Jones to remain competitive.
Pittsburgh’s Stance: Despite Hayes’s offensive regression, the Pirates may prefer to retain their Gold Glove winner, betting on offensive improvement while enjoying his elite defense.

Strategic implications

The Yankees‘ interest in Hayes reflects a broader organizational strategy focused on addressing specific roster deficiencies following their recent high-profile moves. After losing out on retaining Juan Soto and missing other premier free agents, Hayes represents an opportunity to acquire a premium defender with untapped offensive potential at a reasonable cost.

However, the organization must carefully evaluate whether the proposed prospect package strikes the right balance between present needs and future potential. Kay’s perspective on the matter was clear:

“If they trade Stroman, and let’s say there’s a team out there that would eat $10 million of the $18 million that Stroman’s owed, make a move for Hayes. That’s the move to make.”

As the 2025 season approaches, the possibility of Hayes donning pinstripes remains one of baseball’s most intriguing storylines. While the path to completing such a deal involves multiple moving parts and potential complications, the transformative potential for both organizations makes it worthy of serious consideration. For the Yankees, securing Hayes could represent the final piece in constructing a championship-caliber infield, provided they can navigate the complex negotiations ahead and unlock his full potential at the plate.