Frustration Turning to Optimism for Ke’Bryan Hayes

Pittsburgh Pirates fans became increasingly frustrated with Ke’Bryan Hayes this past season.

They were upset that the third baseman performed poorly following a strong finish to the 2023 season that seemed ready to propel him toward stardom. They were frustrated that Hayes missed so many games following the All-Star Game because of a balky back that has been an issue throughout much of his five-year career.

However, nobody is more frustrated than Hayes. He knows 2024 was a lost season and it bothers him.

“I want to be out there playing every day,” Hayes told Pittsburgh Baseball Now during the final days of the season. “I love to play baseball. I love to hit, and play defense. I don’t like to have to sit and watch the games when I can’t be out there.”

Hayes, though, is optimistic that he can have a healthy 2025.

Last month, he visited with Dr. Robert Watkins in Los Angeles. Watkins is considered one of the premier back specialists in the nation.

Watkins found that Hayes has no structural damage in his back and that the pain and limited mobility is because of muscular issues. Watkins gave Hayes a back strengthening program that is more strenuous than the one he had been on this year.

“I’m really excited about the offseason,” Hayes said. “I’m confident that I’m going to be able to get healthy and come to spring training strong and ready to go.”

Hayes hit just .233/.283/.290 with four home runs in 96 games in 2024. Hayes was still a strong defender, but his 10 defensive runs saved were less than half the 21 he had in 2023 when he led all major-league third basemen.

Following the All-Star break, Hayes was limited to 23 games and had a .200/.240/.232 slash line and one homer. By contrast, in the second half of 2023, he batted .299/.335/.539 with 10 homers in 49 games.

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington says he won’t know what the Pirates can expect from Hayes next year until spring training begins in February.

“I think until he’s doing all the things we expect he’s going to do on the field there’s always some level of concern. That’s just natural,” Cherington said. “At the same time, we really believe that we have way more information now than we did four months ago. It’s way more clear. I believe he’s more clear. I believe the work that he’s been doing these last two months has really helped him gain confidence in that work and what that’s going to lead to.”

The Pirates are wedded to Hayes through at least 2029 as he is three years into an eight-year, $70-million contract. He is still owed $43 million.

A case could be made for the Pirates to trade Hayes and go with Jared Triolo, another strong defender, at third base. However, Hayes’ trade value is minimal at the present and the 27-year-old still has a higher upside offensively than Triolo, who is just one year younger.

“He’s obviously really important. We need him on the field. Period,” Cherington said of Hayes. “We need him on the field, doing the things he’s capable of doing in order for us to be the team that we want to be next year. He knows that. He feels that and feels some form of responsibility for that. We’ve got to keep working to help him be that.”