For the last three years, the big picture conversation about the Cincinnati Reds is whether or not the team’s young core can lead the team into the playoffs. The spotlight has been on Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, Spencer Steer, Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, and the rest of the team’s players in their mid-20s who are under contract for the rest of the decade.
Last Wednesday, the Reds acquired third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes in a deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates to be Cincinnati’s third baseman of the present and the future. He’s under contract through the end of the 2030 season, and he’s now just as much of a part of the team’s young core as anybody.
Hayes’ guaranteed long-term contract combined with his questionable offensive ability as well as a history of back injuries present some risk for the Reds. While he’s the best third base defender in baseball, he’s also the worst hitter in MLB over the last two seasons among everyday players. By trading a top prospect for Hayes, the Reds signaled how important defense is going to be for them. President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall says, “Everyone loves the idea of getting a bat. But if you can prevent the runs, you’re going to win games, too.”
Before Krall executed the deal for Hayes, he and the Reds’ front office took a deep dive into his swing. Even though Hayes’ on-base-plus-slugging percentage (OPS) was 39 percent below league average in Pittsburgh this season, the Reds saw some hope that their coaching staff could help fix with his swing.
The Reds’ long-term plan is all about player development for talented young players. Hayes is already 28, but the idea is that he still has upside that Pittsburgh’s coaching staff wasn’t able to tap into. “He hits the ball hard,” says Krall. “He has good swing decisions. The walks and the strikeouts are there. He doesn’t chase a lot. He doesn’t swing and miss a ton. He’s above average in both. He hits down on the ball a lot. Trying to use the opposite field. We’re going to try to lengthen his swing a little bit and get him to drive the ball like he was two years ago.”
The Reds don’t need Hayes to be a great hitter. Because of how much value he’ll bring to the table defensively, all the Reds need is for him to be around league average. If he gets to that level, his contract will be incredibly team friendly.
By inserting Hayes into the teams’ young core, the front office has dropped a very important project onto the desk of hitting coach Chris Valaika. “A lot of the ingredients are there,” says Valaika. “He has shown that throughout his career. He can impact the ball. We want to minimize some of the ground balls, especially in our ball park the way it can play. He takes professional at-bats. He hits the ball hard. Right now, let him go play and let’s see what the game tells us.”
At a bare minimum, Hayes’ defense should immediately lift the team. The Reds have been losing games this year because of missed plays at third base. Noelvi Marte, 23, will now move to right field, a much more comfortable position for him. With Hayes at third base and Marte in right, the Reds have improved defensively at two different positions.
Hayes is a former Gold Glove winner with an incredible defensive reputation around MLB. The Reds are banking on that defensive ability sustaining over the next six seasons, and they’re banking on a health routine that Hayes has developed to mitigate the impact of previous back injuries.
While Hayes’ scouting report has a few question marks, the trade still energized the Reds’ clubhouse. Leading up to the deadline, several veteran players made public comments about wanting the team to be buyers at the deadline. The front office followed through by acquiring Hayes, pitcher Zack Littell, and outfielder Miguel Andujar last week.
Hayes was the biggest acquisition of the bench, and the six years remaining on his contract make this a move with significant short- and long-term implications. The Reds executed their most aggressive deadline in years, and he now steps into a spotlight as a critical piece for the team going forward.
Charlie Goldsmith has covered the Reds and Bengals since 2020, and his newsletter on the teams can be found at charlieschalkboard.substack.com. He’s @CharlieG__ on X.
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