ST. LOUIS — A year ago in snowy Chicago, Ke’Bryan Hayes got the Pirates’ season started with a thunder clap, clobbering a first-inning home run at Wrigley Field. This year in St. Louis, their slick-fielding third baseman really brought the boom.
Without sharing much with his teammates, careful not to brag or show off, Hayes rocked the Pirates’ world by agreeing to an eight-year, $70 million contract extension that qualifies as the largest contract in franchise history.
Hayes, per his usual, agreed to discuss the contract then sped off to the field for pregame work. Opening day against the Cardinals was predictably more important.
