By Paul Semendinger
December 18, 2024
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The Yankees are getting closer and closer to being done. Cody Bellinger helps a lot in that regard.
But they still need a third baseman...
Judging by the title of this article you already know where I'm going with this.
If I were the Yankees, I'd consider seeing if Ke'Bryan Hayes, of the Pittsburgh Pirates, is available in a trade . Just two years ago, Hayes was a 4.0 win player. The year before, he earned 4.4 WAR. A lot of people are down on Hayes. He just might be the perfect "buy-low" candidate.
Hayes isn't much of a hitter, but he's a very good defensive third baseman. Getting Hayes would allow the Yankees to move Jazz Chisholm to second base. That infield would look really good defensively.
Hayes is signed through 2030, but in 2025 (and '26 and '27), he's slated to earn only $7,000,000 per season. I am the guy who wants the Yankees to sign every big free agent, but I realize that the Yankees do have a budget. Hayes would be a lot cheaper than most other third base options out there.
I don't think it would take a lot to get Hayes. Could Oswald Peraza get it done? Maybe Peraza and one other prospect... I'm not one to propose trades because the trades we all propose (almost) never become a reality. My point here is that I don't think Hayes would command Spencer Jones, for example.
Hayes would also be a legacy. His dad, Charlie Hayes, was a Yankee (twice). Charlie Hayes caught the last out of the 1996 World Series.
Ke'Bryan Hayes wouldn't be a spashy move, but I think he'd be a solid player for the Yankees. 2025 would be his age-28 season, a prime year. For the Pirates though, he signed through age-33 and it's possible the Pirates would like to get out of that deal.
To me, Hayes seems like a solid choice. His value is down after a bad year, he was a 4.0+ WAR player just a season before last (and the season before that too). He plays good defense. He just might bounce back.
Hayes just might be the player the Yankees should get...
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