The New York Yankees are on the hunt for a third baseman, and the rumor mill is swirling! They’ve got a few guys in-house who could potentially fill the role, like D.J. LeMahieu, Oswaldo Cabrera, and Jazz Chisholm. But let’s be real, none of them are exactly screaming “everyday third baseman.”
The Yankees have been linked to free agent Alex Bregman, but there’s no guarantee he’ll end up in pinstripes. So, could they look to the trade market for a solution? One intriguing option could be Ke’Bryan Hayes of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Hayes burst onto the scene with a strong rookie season in 2020, but he’s struggled with injuries and inconsistency since then. However, this guy is a defensive wizard! He’s got a Gold Glove to prove it, and his defense alone would be a major upgrade for the Yankees.
The big question mark with Hayes has always been his bat. He’s got the potential to hit, but he hasn’t quite put it all together yet. But hey, the Yankees have a knack for helping players unlock their offensive potential, right?
Now, trading for Hayes wouldn’t be cheap. He’s still got several years left on his contract, so the Pirates would want a decent return. But here’s a potential trade scenario that could make sense for both teams:
The Yankees send Cabrera, Jasson Dominguez, and a prospect like Brendan Messinger to the Pirates for Hayes. This gives the Pirates a potential replacement for Hayes in Cabrera, a high-upside prospect in Dominguez, and another young player to sweeten the deal.
For the Yankees, they get a Gold Glove third baseman who could solidify their defense and potentially provide some offensive pop. It’s a move that could pay off big time for them.
Of course, this is just one possible scenario, and there are a lot of factors to consider. But if the Yankees are serious about upgrading at third base, Ke’Bryan Hayes is definitely a name to watch. He could be the missing piece they need to make a championship run.
