Prior to the Pittsburgh Pirates‘ Opening Day game last Thursday against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium, the team came to an agreement with their star third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes on a contract extension.
Today, the Pirates made it official.
The contract extension is for eight years and will last through the 2029 season with a club option for 2030.
We have signed 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes to an eight-year contract extension through the 2029 season with a club option for the 2030 season.
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 12, 2022
Hayes Extended
The Pirates took their first step in locking up their core players today as Hayes is now signed with Pittsburgh for the next seven years at the very least.
Hayes hit .257 in 2021 with six homers and 38 RBIs.
The young third baseman is a star defensively, having led all third basemen in the Major Leagues with 16 Defensive Runs Saved in 2021.
Hayes has struggled with some injury issues over the past few years, but if he can stay healthy, he could prove to be a key piece moving forward for the Pirates as they attempt to try and build a winner from the ground up.
They don’t have much hope for 2022 or the foreseeable future, but Hayes could be a major centerpiece for them down the line.
“Ke’Bryan is the type of core player who is a winner on the field, a leader in our clubhouse, and engaged in our community,” said Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting. “He is the type of player who makes a true difference in the direction of our organization.”
Hayes made his MLB debut during the COVID-shortened 2020 season and has earned his place as the Pirates’ starting third baseman.
We’ll see if the Pirates end up trying to build around him in the coming years and try and create a contending ballclub.
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