Ke'Bryan
Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2022 5:24 pm
While the terms of the contract could work out in the Pirates favor, I question if Hayes is really the building block that he is purported to be. Pirate announcers have generally sold him as a perennial all-star after he burst onto the major league scene, and that Arenado, Chapman, and a bevy of other good fielding third baseman better get ready to step aside in the gold glove competition.
I like Hayes, but he strikes me as a complementary player and not a good top of the order bat, and certainly not a middle of the order bat. Across parts of 6 minor league seasons, his OPS was 754; good, but not awe inspiring, In 2017 minor league plate appearances, he hit only 27 home runs from what should be a power position.
While the contract the Pirates just awarded to Hayes (and his agent negotiated on his behalf) would be considered a run-of-mill salary for most teams, with the Pirates, it likely may become a bench-mark for the top. While I'm sure that BC recognizes that the cost to obtain talent is considerably greater today than even 5 years ago, during yesterday's game Pirate announcers were giving a shout-out to Nutting for stepping up and awarding a big contract to help solidify the future of the Pirates.
I like Hayes, but if he hits only 10 - 15 HR's/year, while batting .280 with an OPS in the range of .750 over the next 3 years (his prime years), the Bucs really should be looking for a long-term alternative at third.
P.S. to Nutting - Bob, one player does not make a team. The contract management just awarded Hayes (which you obviously had to sign off on) is just the beginning of the type of contracts the team needs to award to be competitive. Also, one deal like this with a team payroll that is still south of $50 mil will not stop the Player's Association from rightfully pursuing action against the Pirates for failing to commit sufficient revenues to be more competitive.
I like Hayes, but he strikes me as a complementary player and not a good top of the order bat, and certainly not a middle of the order bat. Across parts of 6 minor league seasons, his OPS was 754; good, but not awe inspiring, In 2017 minor league plate appearances, he hit only 27 home runs from what should be a power position.
While the contract the Pirates just awarded to Hayes (and his agent negotiated on his behalf) would be considered a run-of-mill salary for most teams, with the Pirates, it likely may become a bench-mark for the top. While I'm sure that BC recognizes that the cost to obtain talent is considerably greater today than even 5 years ago, during yesterday's game Pirate announcers were giving a shout-out to Nutting for stepping up and awarding a big contract to help solidify the future of the Pirates.
I like Hayes, but if he hits only 10 - 15 HR's/year, while batting .280 with an OPS in the range of .750 over the next 3 years (his prime years), the Bucs really should be looking for a long-term alternative at third.
P.S. to Nutting - Bob, one player does not make a team. The contract management just awarded Hayes (which you obviously had to sign off on) is just the beginning of the type of contracts the team needs to award to be competitive. Also, one deal like this with a team payroll that is still south of $50 mil will not stop the Player's Association from rightfully pursuing action against the Pirates for failing to commit sufficient revenues to be more competitive.