Even if it didn’t make a ton of sense at the time – and, to many, still doesn’t – it was clear as day why the Cincinnati Reds made the trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates at the 2025 trade deadline to acquire
Ke’Bryan Hayes. He is, and has been, the single best defensive 3B in the game for a handful of years already, and is still at a young enough age to continue to be so going forward.
He can’t hit, but man, can he field, something that the front office thought was a vital addition given how much they were leaning on their pitching amid a light-hitting roster. His glovework down the stretch was exactly what the front office had hoped for, and the Reds squeaked into the first round of the playoffs after all.
The first bit of hardware for his efforts has rolled in.
On Thursday, Sports Info Solutions doled out their Fielding Bible Awards for the best defender (regardless of league) at each position, and Hayes took home the honors at 3B – and he did so almost unanimously among voters, with only Joe Sheehan (who had him 2nd) ranking him anywhere other than 1st.
Hayes is also a finalist for the National League Gold Glove Award at 3B, something he’ll almost certainly win as well.
This comes as no surprise, and is an incredible endorsement of what this particular player excels at while playing against the best of the best in the sport. We can sit back and lament that he’s not a more complete player, or question why the Reds sought this avenue to improve this aspect of their team when a bat remains a primary need, but we cannot take anything away from Hayes incredible defense at a vital spot on the diamond.
Now, if the front office can just find enough bats to make him hitting 9th every day not a problem at all…
