The Pirates traded Ke'Bryan Hayes to the Reds on Aug 1, 2025, acquiring Taylor Rogers and a top prospect, even as Oneil Cruz led a 5-game win streak.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
While Oneil Cruz was launching home runs and the Pirates were celebrating their fifth consecutive victory on Friday night, the biggest jolt to the organization happened off the field. In a stunning trade deadline move, the Pittsburgh Pirates sent cornerstone third baseman and defensive wizard Ke'Bryan Hayes to the division-rival Cincinnati Reds, fundamentally altering the team's trajectory and signaling a clear, decisive pivot towards the future.
In a move that sent shockwaves through the fanbase, the Pirates traded Gold Glove third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes to a division rival, signaling a definitive turn towards the future.
The bombshell of the day was the trade of Ke'Bryan Hayes to the Reds for veteran LHP Taylor Rogers and infield prospect Sammy Stafura. While Hayes's elite glove at third base will be sorely missed, his offensive struggles this season made the move possible. The trade provides significant future payroll flexibility and adds Stafura, Cincinnati's 2023 second-round pick, who immediately slots in as the Pirates' No. 7 prospect. Rogers, a reliable lefty, will provide immediate help to a bullpen that needs stabilization. It's a classic Ben Cherington move: trade an established, expensive piece for cost-controlled relief and a high-upside prospect.
Lost in the trade shuffle was another impressive win, as the Pirates downed the Rockies 7-3. Oneil Cruz looked every bit the superstar, going 3-for-5 with a towering home run and 3 RBIs. His performance is a crucial reminder of the young talent still at the core of this team. Andrew Heaney delivered a quality start, pitching six strong innings, and Bryan Reynolds broke the game open with a clutch 2-run double. In a smaller move, the team also swapped rental reliever Caleb Ferguson to the Mariners for 19-year-old RHP Jeter Martinez, another high-upside arm for the farm system.
The focus on the future was underscored by news from the farm system. While fans get acquainted with new prospects Stafura and Martinez, current prospect Edward Florentino is making a name for himself. The outfielder was named the organization's hottest hitter, slashing an incredible .296/.426/.617 over the past month. With 7 homers, 16 stolen bases, and a 1.017 OPS on the season, Florentino is becoming a must-watch player and a symbol of the high-impact talent the front office is trying to accumulate.
It was a day of conflicting emotions for Pirates fans. A fifth straight win feels good, but seeing a player like Ke'Bryan Hayes traded to a rival stings. The message from the front office is clear: the future is the priority. Now, we watch to see how Taylor Rogers fits into the bullpen and wait for the day when prospects like Sammy Stafura and Edward Florentino arrive in Pittsburgh. The rebuild continues, with a new face and a new direction.
