Adam Frazier had been traded to San Diego but accompanied the Pittsburgh Pirates on their flight home from San Francisco on Sunday, so the All-Star second baseman offered free advice to Ke’Bryan Hayes:

Treat every day like it’s brand new.

The rookie third baseman shared that snippet from their conversation, as the team continues a roster teardown, where every day could be someone’s last as a Pirate until Friday’s 4 p.m. MLB trade deadline.

When Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said last month that “there are going to be players we value extremely highly and we see as a big part of our future,” it was obvious he was talking about Hayes and All-Star center fielder Bryan Reynolds.

The Pirates are believed to be building around both as franchise cornerstones, and Hayes hopes he can help them turn into a winner. As Cherington trades veterans for high-ceiling prospects, Hayes is focused on his future with the Pirates.

“It’d be great to stick with the team that I was drafted by. If that’s what they want to do, I’m all for it,” said Hayes, a 2015 first-round pick who turned down a contract extension in the offseason. “I’m really excited for the next few years, to see what we can do once we get the younger guys that are in the minor leagues right now up. At one point, I was that guy. To be on this side of it, to be able to help lead them, I’m just trying to learn as much as I can right now in this, my first full year, and the next couple years.

“Hopefully, I’ll be able to lead them when they’re ready to come up. One day I want to be a leader with whatever team I’m with. While I’m here right now, I’m trying to get as much knowledge as I can for whatever the younger guys come up, to be able to set them up in the best position.”

In trading Frazier for three prospects — infielder Tucupita Marcano, outfielder Jack Suwinski and reliever Michell Miliano — the Pirates gave up a two-time Gold Glove finalist who was leading the major leagues in hits and ranked in the top five in doubles and batting average. He also served as the Pirates’ leadoff hitter, batting one spot in the order ahead of Hayes, who batted .376 with a 1.124 OPS in 24 games last September but is slashing .264 with a .744 OPS in 48 games this season.

Trading Frazier was no surprise to Hayes but it still stung.

“I don’t think guys are thinking about it too much because, at the end of the day, we still have to come to the park and play and try to win ballgames,” Hayes said. “It kind of sucks. He was one of our best guys this year, him and Reynolds, so it sucks to lose a guy like him. I just enjoyed being his teammate and watching the way he goes about his business every day.”

The Pirates have since sent right-handed reliever Clay Holmes to the New York Yankees for infield prospects Hoy Jun Park and Diego Castillo and lefty starter Tyler Anderson to the Seattle Mariners for catcher Carter Bins and right-hander Joaquin Tejada. More moves could be coming, as the Pirates are reportedly listening to offers for relievers David Bednar, Chris Stratton and Richard Rodriguez.

For now, Hayes is heeding the advice Frazier offered on his way out.

“The greatest athletes in the world, they have that consistent routine, from the time they wake up until when they go to bed each day,” Hayes said. “I talked to him a little bit on the plane when we came back, and one thing that stuck out that he told me — that I try to do every day — is treat every day like it’s brand new. Your batting average is zero. Just go in there every day with a clean slate and have positive thoughts.

“Hopefully, the guys we got for him enjoy being with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Hopefully, they can build their way up to get up here and help us win games.”

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