The Pirates have made third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes the cornerstone of the franchise, signing the 25-year-old to the richest contract in franchise history.
On Tuesday, Hayes officially inked an eight-year extension worth a reported $70 million. The deal will run through the 2029 season with a club option for 2030, making Hayes the only Pirates player currently signed beyond 2022.
The contract surpasses the six-year, $60 million contract Pittsburgh gave catcher Jason Kendall in November 2000.
The son of former major leaguer Charlie Hayes, Ke’Bryan Hayes was the 32nd pick in the 2015 draft and made his MLB debut in 2020.
The slick fielder — who won three Gold Gloves in the minors — finished sixth in AL Rookie of the Year voting in ’20 and hit .257 with six home runs and 38 RBI in ‘21 while battling injuries.
Through three games this season, Hayes is hitting .400 with an RBI.
