The Chicago Cubs, currently leading the NL Central, appear poised to make a significant push at the upcoming July 31 trade deadline, and one name on their radar is a familiar one: Ke’Bryan Hayes of the Pittsburgh Pirates. According to reports from Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Cubs have inquired about acquiring the elite defensive third baseman, signaling their willingness to be aggressive in shoring up their infield for a postseason run.
Hayes, who won the 2023 NL Gold Glove at third base—breaking Nolan Arenado’s 10-year hold on the award—is arguably the best defender at the position in baseball today. While his glove is elite, his bat has lagged behind. This season, Hayes has posted a disappointing 64 OPS+, meaning he’s producing 36% below league average offensively. Still, teams like the Tigers and Yankees have also shown interest, suggesting there’s belief around the league that Hayes could benefit from a change of scenery or adjustments at the plate.
The Cubs’ interest makes plenty of sense given their struggles at third base this season. Their current platoon has delivered well below average offense and inconsistent defense, leaving a clear hole on an otherwise well-rounded roster. Even with Hayes’ lack of offensive production, his defense alone would represent a substantial upgrade, especially for a team looking to win tight games in the stretch run.
As for the Pirates, they are firmly in seller mode, residing at the bottom of the division and shifting focus to the long-term development of franchise cornerstones Paul Skenes and Oneil Cruz. Hayes is still just 27 and under team control through 2029 on a team-friendly deal, but with Pittsburgh aiming to retool around younger talent, dealing him now could yield a strong return—especially given the lack of depth at third base on the trade market.
The key factor moving forward will be Pittsburgh’s asking price. With multiple teams bidding and few reliable third basemen available, the Pirates may look to leverage this scarcity to maximize Hayes’ value. For the Cubs, acquiring Hayes would be a strategic move to plug a defensive hole and add postseason experience—assuming the bat can improve enough to warrant everyday playing time.
