The Pittsburgh Pirates completed the 2026 season with a file of 82-80. The tip outcome didn’t find yourself being what the group in the end desired, nevertheless. The purpose was all the time to get into the postseason and make a deep run in October. It was the first-ever 12 months above .500 within the Ben Cherington period. He took over the entrance workplace in 2019, however he has not delivered what followers envisioned when the Pirates employed him. That doesn’t imply, nevertheless, that he hasn’t had some important wins throughout his tenure.
Pittsburgh has typically been sellers on the commerce deadline as a result of an absence of relevance as soon as July arrives. In these sorts of conditions, the purpose is all the time to dump off expertise that might not be a part of the longer term. In return, groups want to amass younger expertise with a great deal of potential. Cherington did one thing in 2025 that’s already trying like a house run primarily based on current occasions.
Ke’Bryan Hayes was a first-round choice of the Pirates again in 2015. He arrived within the massive leagues in 2020, flashing a big glove at third base. Sadly, he was very up and down on the offensive aspect. In April of 2022, he had accomplished sufficient to earn a large eight-year, $70 million contract from the Pirates.
Pirates Commerce Hayes To NL Central Foe
It actually wasn’t figuring out for Hayes in Pittsburgh as time went on. This led to him getting dealt to the Cincinnati Reds in 2025. The primary piece of the deal coming again to the Metal Metropolis was center infielder Sammy Stafura.
Quick ahead to September of 2026, and Hayes is being referred to as out for fairly actually having one of many worst offensive seasons in baseball historical past. Bryce Spalding introduced this up with a put up on X.
“There was 21,533 gamers since 1940 who’ve recorded 240 PA in a single season,” Spalding wrote. “Ke’Bryan Hayes ranks 21,531/21,533 in wRC+ together with his 13 wRC+ mark in 2026. His .419 OPS ranks 21,530/21,533. Fairly actually a backside 3 offensive season, EVER.”
The wRC+ stat is a complicated hitting metric that primarily summarizes offensive manufacturing. Moreover, the Pirates later included Stafura within the deal to amass Luke Weaver close to the commerce deadline. The reliever is underneath contract for 2027, so it appears to have labored out for the Pirates.
Cherington Deserves Some Credit score The place Credit score Is Due
It hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows for the Pirates since Cherington took over. Nevertheless, that is a kind of strikes that deserves to be lauded. Pittsburgh was capable of shed Hayes’ wage whereas additionally making a gift of somebody who has no clue what he’s doing on the plate.
The Buccos didn’t essentially get a long-term prospect within the deal who remains to be round, however they had been capable of ditch Hayes. As well as, Weaver may very nicely be the nearer for the franchise in 2027 — if baseball finally ends up being performed.
Cherington catches lots of warmth, and he warrants most of it. The Pirates employed him to make a distinction and convey profitable baseball again to Pittsburgh. He hasn’t achieved that simply but; nevertheless, one in every of his greatest strikes in current reminiscence made Hayes the Reds’ drawback.
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