The New York Yankees kicked off the 2025 season with a roar, only to stumble through a turbulent June. As the All-Star break fades into the rearview, the Bronx Bombers have clawed their way to a slightly steadier footing, sitting two games behind Toronto in the AL East and just one game ahead of the surging Boston Red Sox. With the July 31 trade deadline looming, General Manager Brian Cashman and the front office are under pressure to make a splash and solidify the roster for a postseason push. One glaring hole stands out above the rest: third base.
The Yankees’ third base situation has been a revolving door of disappointment. DJ LeMahieu, once a reliable veteran, hit the waiver wire. Jazz Chisholm Jr. briefly flirted with the hot corner but pleaded to return to his natural second base. For now, Oswald Peraza and Jorbit Vivas are splitting time at third, posting dismal OPS figures of .456 and .501, respectively. It’s no secret—New York needs a competent bat at third base, and they need it fast. While fans dream of blockbuster names like Eugenio Suárez or Ryan McMahon, a less flashy but intriguing candidate has emerged: Pittsburgh Pirates’ third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes.
Ke’Bryan Hayes: A Trade on the Horizon?
According to Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on 93.7 The Fan, a trade involving Hayes is “60 percent” likely before the deadline. For the Pirates, who are languishing far from contention, Hayes’ underwhelming offensive output makes him a prime trade candidate. At 28, Hayes is locked into a team-friendly $8 million annual contract through 2032—a bargain for a player with his defensive prowess. But his bat tells a different story, and it’s one that has Pittsburgh questioning his long-term fit.
This season, Hayes is hitting a lackluster .238 with a .576 OPS, mustering just two home runs and 31 RBI in 328 at-bats. The Pirates’ offense has been a slog, and Hayes’ struggles at the plate are a big part of the problem. Despite his elite defensive skills, Pittsburgh may see this as the perfect time to cash in on his value. For the Yankees, Hayes represents both an opportunity and a gamble.
Why the Yankees Are Interested
At first glance, Hayes seems like an odd fit for a Yankees team desperate for offensive firepower. So why the interest? The answer lies in his glove. Hayes is a defensive wizard at third base, ranking in the 99th percentile with 13 outs above average this season. His 0.8 WAR, despite his anemic hitting, underscores his ability to impact games with his fielding. For a Yankees squad that’s been plagued by defensive miscues, Hayes could be a game-changer.
BREAKING: Pirates insider @_NoahHiles says Ke’Bryan Hayes is likely to get traded at the deadline.
“It’s better than 50/50.”
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) July 16, 2025
Aaron Judge, for all his offensive brilliance, remains a liability in right field. Anthony Volpe’s struggles at shortstop have been glaring, and Jasson Domínguez, at just 22, is still finding his footing in left. While Jazz Chisholm and Paul Goldschmidt provide solid defense on the right side of the infield, the Yankees’ overall defensive unit is a weak point. Hayes could shore up the hot corner, turning potential hits into outs and giving New York’s pitching staff a much-needed boost.
The Offensive Dilemma
Here’s the catch: the Yankees’ lineup is already top-heavy. Aaron Judge is a one-man wrecking crew, Jazz Chisholm is an All-Star, and Cody Bellinger has been red-hot lately. But beyond those names, the back half of the batting order is a black hole. Hayes’ .576 OPS would do little to address this issue. In fact, his offensive numbers are eerily similar to the lackluster production New York is already getting from Peraza and Vivas.
While Hayes is a clear upgrade over the current options—especially defensively—his lack of pop raises red flags. The Yankees need a spark, a bat that can complement Judge and Chisholm, not another light-hitting infielder. Trading for Hayes would be a buy-low move, capitalizing on his depressed offensive value and long-term contract. But is that enough to justify the move when New York’s lineup is crying out for more firepower?
A Calculated Risk or a Missed Opportunity?
A trade for Ke’Bryan Hayes could make sense in a vacuum. His elite defense would stabilize a shaky infield, and his contract is a steal for a player of his age and skill set. But the Yankees’ needs extend beyond defense. With the AL East race tightening and the Red Sox breathing down their necks, New York can’t afford to settle for a one-dimensional player, no matter how slick his glove is.
Cashman and the front office would be wise to explore other options before committing to Hayes. Names like Suárez or McMahon, while pricier, offer the offensive upside that Hayes lacks. If the Yankees can’t land a big-ticket bat, Hayes could serve as a fallback—a defensive anchor who, at the very least, outperforms the current third-base tandem. But settling for Hayes without exhausting all other avenues feels like a missed opportunity for a team with World Series aspirations.