Nick Krall Explains What Went Wrong for Ke'Bryan Hayes

Third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes won a Gold Glove in 2025, but his bat fell apart for the Cincinnati Reds in 2026.

Hayes hit .141 with a .194 on-base percentage and a .225 slugging percentage across 94 games, with five home runs and nine RBI, and two trips to the injured list made the year even harder.

Those numbers put a big question mark over where he fits next season, and the front office was asked about it directly.

President of baseball operations Nick Krall talked about Hayes when he and general manager Brad Meador met with reporters on Thursday, Oct. 1, and he did not try to hide how bad the season was.

"He chased hits," Krall said, according to Fox19. "When he got unlucky early, he started chasing hits. He has to get himself into a position where he can be his own guy, not have to worry about everything else and go play. He really struggled offensively all season long. There's no way around it."

Hayes went on the injured list in May with a bulging disc in his lower back and did not return until July 10, then missed more time in late August and early September with a left groin strain.

Fox19 reported that Krall wants Hayes to take care of himself and get in better shape to protect his back, but that the Reds are not giving up on him, and that Hayes was a bench player for the second half of the season.

Krall also explained that Hayes does not have to be a star to be worth his contract, saying a solid bench player who can still defend at a high level would do the job.

That is a fair way to look at it, because Hayes is owed $7 million in 2027 and $8 million in both 2028 and 2029, along with a $6 million buyout on a club option for 2030.

Walking away from that much money would hurt, so the best outcome for Cincinnati is getting him back to a useful level at the plate.

The glove is still his calling card, and Hayes has explained his Gold Glove defense before as more steady than flashy.

The bat is the issue, and it has been a concern for months.

The Reds acquired him from Pittsburgh in July 2025 for left-hander Taylor Rogers, shortstop Sammy Stafura and cash, and so far the trade has not paid off.

Hayes will have to compete for playing time in 2027 and the Reds have options.

First baseman Sal Stewart, second baseman Edwin Arroyo, third baseman Oswaldo Cabrera and second baseman Juan Brito can all play third, though manager Terry Francona prefers Stewart at first base.

This winter is a big one for Hayes, since the Reds finished 75-87, last in the National League Central and 28 games behind Milwaukee, and he was one of the most disappointing players on a team that had plenty of them.

Krall gave him a clear goal, and if Hayes comes to camp healthy and stops chasing hits, he can still help this team as a defender and a part-time bat.