The MLB trade season has just delivered a curveball nobody expected — the Yankees’ Eugenio Suárez pursuit has gone from a sure thing to a complete standstill. Picture Brian Cashman’s face when his third base savior suddenly became untouchable, with the Tigers, Brewers, and Mariners all circling like vultures. So what happens when four desperate teams chase a single coveted player? The Yankees’ third base nightmare continues, that’s what, but here’s the twist – this Suárez bidding war setback might just force the Yankees into their smartest move yet.

Enter Ke’Bryan Hayes, the Pirates’ defensive wizard who’s quietly emerging as the Yankees’ $70 million pivot option. Something about desperate times calling for creative measures. Hayes represents everything the Yankees need: elite defense, a fresh start mentality, and a price tag that won’t break the bank. Honestly, it makes sense when you consider what the Yankees are currently getting at third base.

Joel Sherman, from the New York Post Sports, laid it out perfectly: “I think they should do what they can to try to get Suárez. He so obviously fit their needs. My fallback position is Ke’Bryan Hayes.” Sherman sees shades of Scott Brosius in Hayes, emphasizing the defensive lockdown ability. “He’s as good a defensive third baseman as you will find. So I know I have that for a team that sometimes gets weird with the ball,” Sherman explained. The comparison to Brosius is particularly telling – another player who found success after leaving Oakland for the Yankees. Sherman believes Hayes just needs a change of scenery, noting that even hitting .240 would be a massive upgrade for the Yankees at third base.

Jon Heyman backed Sherman’s assessment with compelling logic: “I’m with you on Ke’Bryan. I think there’s something there. Change of scenery will help him batting 9th, something like that for the Yankees, and if he hits .240, it’s 91 points higher than they’ve got now, right? So I’ll take that.” The math is brutal but honest – the Yankees’ current third base production is so poor that Hayes’ career-low offensive numbers would still represent a significant improvement. While the Yankees scramble to fix their infield woes, an even bigger crisis is brewing in their rotation that could make the Hayes pursuit more realistic.

Yankees make bold move for Pittsburgh Pirates ace.

But here’s where things get interesting – while the Yankees chase third base solutions, their pitching staff is simultaneously crumbling. How does this impact their trade strategy, you ask? Well, this loss of key starters has created a domino effect that could work in their favor for the Hayes pursuit.

With October ambitions hanging in the balance, the New York Yankees face a critical crossroads. The loss of Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt for the remainder of 2025 has left a gaping hole in their championship aspirations, forcing the front office to turn to the trade market for salvation. Enter Mitch Keller, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ ace who has emerged as their lifeline.

According to Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Yankees “are now in the mix” of clubs pursuing the 29-year-old right-hander ahead of the MLB trade deadline. Keller’s stellar numbers make him more attractive than Miami’s Sandy Alcantara. The battle for Keller’s services intensifies daily, with multiple teams competing.

What makes this chase compelling is Keller’s team-friendly contract spanning through 2028. For the Yankees, Keller represents more than rotation depth—he’s their championship insurance policy that could unlock their Hayes pursuit.