Pittsburgh quickly flipped Rogers to the Cubs<\/a> for outfielder prospect Ivan Brethowr the following day, as part of an agreement that they would move him on.<\/p>\n The Pirates sent Hayes away almost a year ago, but it’s clear that they’ve come out of it as the winners of the trade. <\/p>\n Ke’Bryan Hayes Having Poor 2026 Season<\/p>\n One of the main reasons for the Pirates trading Hayes was that they wanted a better hitting third baseman, as he dealt with a few injuries and struggled to have the power he had earlier in his career.<\/p>\n Hayes has gotten even worse this season, slashing .145\/.200\/.234 for an OPS of .434 in 55 games, with 21 hits in 145 at-bats, two doubles, a triple, three home runs, six RBI and nine walks to 28 strikeouts.<\/p>\n Jul 12, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Reds third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes (3) hits a single in the third inning against the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n He has only played in 55 games, missing time with a lumbar bulging disc, another back injury<\/a> that saw him miss time in the 2022, 2023 and 2024 seasons with the Pirates.<\/p>\n Hayes is still a fantastic defensive third baseman, with seven defensive runs saved this season, but his poor hitting makes him a liability for the Reds lineup.<\/p>\n The Pirates win this trade just on the fact that the Reds took on his entire contract when they traded for him.<\/p>\n Cincinnati is paying $30 million over this season through 2029, the end of his eight-year, $70 million contract extension<\/a> he signed with the Pirates at the start of the 2022 season.<\/p>\n The Pirates having a divisional rival pay the rest of his contract, while they can put their funds elsewhere is a big victory in and of itself.<\/p>\n Sammy Stafura Emerging as Top Pirates Prospect<\/p>\n The Pirates didn’t get the highest-rated Reds prospect when they landed Stafura, but there was promise when they added him<\/a>.<\/p>\n Stafura had high grades for his running and also his fielding, while having average grades for his hitting and arm, but he’s become an almost different player in 2026.<\/p>\n Daytona Tortugas’ Sammy Stafura trots to home plate to score during a game with the Palm Beach Cardinals at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, Friday, June 27, 2025. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n The 21-year old has been brilliant for High-A Greensboro, batting .302\/.364\/.665 for an OPS of 1.029 in 46 games, with 55 hits, 42 runs scored, seven doubles, a triple, 19 home runs, 51 RBI and 16 stolen bases on 17 attempts.<\/p>\n Stafura really has made his mark in July, with 14 home runs in 18 games, while hitting .358\/.379\/.926 for an OPS of 1.305, plus 29 hits in 81 at-bats, 29 runs scored, four doubles, 35 RBI and six stolen bases.<\/p>\n He has three multi-home run games this month, including doing so in his last two games, as he pushes for a promotion to Double-A Altoona.<\/p>\n His play has also made him the ninth-best prospect for the Pirates, per MLB Pipeline<\/a>, and Baseball America<\/a> ranks him 14th. <\/p>\n Stafura could end up an important part of the Pirates’ future, or even as a trade piece ahead of the Aug. 3 deadline, but he’s on his way towards benefiting the team either way, which is much more than what Hayes has done for the Reds.<\/p>\n![\"Cincinnati](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/01kyp014tj72h9qf4m60.jpg\" "\\"Cincinnati")
<\/p>\n![\"Pittsburgh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/01kyp1ra72wd7f5k4gcg.jpg\" "\\"Pittsburgh")
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