The New York Yankees have bolstered their struggling bullpen by acquiring pitcher David Bednar from the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 30-year-old right-hander, who is under club control through the 2026 season, will add much-needed depth to the team’s pitching staff.
Bednar, a former All-Star, has rebounded from a disappointing 2024 season with a strong stretch in Pittsburgh, posting a 1.70 ERA and 16 saves over 37 innings. He is known for his devastating curveball-splitter secondary combination, which complements his fastball that averages 97.1 mph.
The Yankees’ bullpen has been in desperate need of an upgrade, with a 4.89 ERA since the start of June being the fifth worst in the sport. Bednar’s arrival will provide the team with a late-inning option with big swing-and-miss stuff.
However, the trade also comes with implications for the future. The Yankees’ top relievers Devin Williams and Luke Weaver are set to become free agents at season’s end, and the team has not signed a free-agent reliever to a contract worth more than $10 million per season since 2019. Bednar is expected to provide a significant upgrade over their current relief pitchers.
The Pirates will receive catcher/first base prospect Rafael Flores, catching prospect Edgleen Perez, and outfield prospect Brian Sanchez in return for Bednar. While the package may not be as valuable as some had hoped, it is considered reasonable given the going rate for closers at this time.
Overall, the Yankees’ acquisition of David Bednar provides a much-needed boost to their pitching staff ahead of the trade deadline.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6498441/2025/07/31/mlb-yankees-david-bednar-trade-grades