Pirates, Ke’Bryan Hayes agree to team-record $70 million deal
The Pittsburgh Pirates and third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes have agreed to an eight-year, $70 million contract, the biggest in the history of the franchise.
Third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes has just agreed to the largest deal in the history of the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, the eight-year, $70 million contract extension is yet to be finalized pending Hayes’ physical.
An official announcement of the contract is expected to be made on the day of Pittsburgh’s home opening game on April 12.
Hayes’ opening day injury
Hours after the deal, the 25-year-old struck out of the Pirates’ opening day game against the St. Louis Cardinals and exited after suffering a spasm on his left forearm. The seriousness of the injury has yet to be determined.
The Pirates picked Hayes in the first round (32nd overall) of the 2015 MLB draft. He made his debut in the big leagues in September 2020, when he was named Rookie of the Month. He was considered a rising star of the Pirates, posting a 1.124 OPS in limited action throughout the covid-19-shortened season.
However, he injured his left wrist in the 2021 season, and only played 96 games last year, missing action in much of April and the whole of May. Hayes wrapped up the season hitting .257/.316/.373 with six home runs, 38 RBIs, and 9 stolen bases.
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Ke’Bryan Hayes: Outstanding defense
In 120 career games, he has recorded .280/.340/.432. He is known for his excellent defensive play as third baseman.
Prior to the new agreement, Hayes had five years left with the Pirates. The new deal will start this season and will run through 2029, with an option to extend it for another year.
The contract gives the Pirates a degree of stability as the team is still being strengthened by general manager Ben Cherington, who assumed leadership of the franchise in 2019.