Ke'Bryan Hayes is set to return to the Pirates, adding to the team's excitement as they look forward to a full season with him alongside emerging talents like Paul Skenes and Jared Jones on the mound.

Ke'Bryan Hayes is positioned as the starting third baseman for the Pirates, and Valdéz will need to compete for a roster spot to back him up, along with Jared Triolo and Nick Yorke.

Ke'Bryan Hayes' health is critical for the Pirates' success as he has struggled with back injuries that limited his playing time in recent seasons. Despite only participating in 96 games in 2024 and experiencing a dip in offensive performance, Shelton is encouraged by Hayes' offseason progress and believes that if he can stay healthy, he could significantly contribute to the team's aspirations for the 2025 season.

Ke'Bryan Hayes struggled at the plate during the season, posting a disappointing .573 OPS. The Pirates need him to return to form to bolster their offense, which ranked in the bottom 10 in nearly every major category. His performance will be crucial as the team looks to improve, especially with tight budget constraints limiting their options for external upgrades.

Ke'Bryan Hayes' back injury allowed Jared Triolo to take on a significant role at third base, where Triolo logged 527 innings over 61 games. Hayes was the most recent Pirate to win a Gold Glove, having received the award in 2023.