NEW YORK – The New York Yankees on July 31 executed a deadline-day trade to acquire David Bednar, a two-time National League All-Star closer, from the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Yankees traded catching prospect Rafael Flores—ranked No. 8 in their system—along with Edgleen Perez and Brian Sanchez (Yankees’ No. 8 and No. 13 prospects) to Pittsburgh.
His high-velocity fastball, elite slider, and late-game acumen give New York a weapon they lacked.
Bednar emerges as Yankees’ new late-inning weapon
David Bednar, 30, has reestablished himself in 2025 after a down year. He owns a 2.37 ERA, 51 strikeouts, and a perfect 17-for-17 in save chances through 42 appearances. His fastball averages 97.1 mph, backed by a sharp curveball and splitter.
Despite struggling in 2024 with a 5.77 ERA, Bednar responded by dominating at Triple-A and returning to elite form in Pittsburgh. Since mid‑April, he has quietly posted a 1.70 ERA, 34.5% strikeout rate, and 5.5% walk rate, striking out 29 batters with just five walks in a recent 24‑game span. He had a 23‑game scoreless appearance streak in June that earned him NL Reliever of the Month honors.
His career numbers as of July 22 show 99 saves, 351 strikeouts, and a 3.24 ERA across parts of seven seasons with the Padres and Pirates. He was selected by San Diego in the 35th round of the 2016 draft out of Lafayette College and debuted in MLB on Sept. 1, 2019.
Why the Yankees selected Bednar
Critical bullpen upgrade
During July, the Yankees’ bullpen posted a 6.29 ERA, the second‑worst in MLB. Manager Aaron Boone had repeatedly stressed the need for more strikeout punch in late innings. Bednar brings that missing element.
Available high-leverage talent
Bednar faced a few save chances in Pittsburgh’s low-run games. Yet he converted every opportunity. That spike in trade value made him the most sought-after reliever at the deadline.
One year of cost-control
David Bednar’s contract offers the Yankees a cost-controlled bullpen solution. He is earning $5.9 million in 2025 under an arbitration deal with the Pirates, which New York assumed following the trade. Of that sum, approximately $1.87 million remains for the rest of the season, but the Yankees will incur about $3.9 million in luxury‑tax impact because of the 110% tax provision on acquired salaries.
Bednar remains under team control through the 2026 season via arbitration eligibility, allowing New York one more full year before potential free agency—providing both immediate bullpen impact and future roster flexibility. That made him both a high-impact and budget-friendly addition.
Complementing existing arms
Yankee general manager Brian Cashman also added Camilo Doval and Jake Bird on the same day to fortify the relief corps. Now, the back end features four pitchers with closing experience: Bednar, Doval, Devin Williams, and Luke Weaver.
Bednar’s baseball journey
Born Oct. 10, 1994, in Butler County, Pennsylvania, Bednar attended Mars Area High School. He embraced the nickname “The Renegade,” a nod to the popular Styx song and his Pittsburgh Steelers fandom. He was drafted out of Lafayette College and rose steadily through the Padres’ system before being traded to the Pirates in a three-team deal in early 2021.
Bednar made his MLB debut on Sept. 1, 2019. In his first full season with Pittsburgh in 2021, he posted a 2.23 ERA and 77 strikeouts over 61 appearances, earning a Rookie of the Year vote. He became a two-time All-Star in 2022 and 2023, leading the National League with 39 saves in 2023. This earned him the nickname “Bednar Bandit.”
In 2024, his ERA ballooned to 6.32, and he was removed from the closer role in August. A Triple-A assignment in early 2025 sparked a resurgence with a long stretch of zero‑earned‑run appearances, high strikeout rates, and perfect conversions in save situations (17 for 17), making him a top trade deadline target.
Playing in only seven MLB seasons, the 30‑year‑old Bednar has already amassed 101 career saves and emerged as one of the more reliable late‑innings relievers in baseball.
Bednar earned All‑Star selections in 2022 and 2023, leading the National League with 39 saves in 2023. He became known for a mid-90s fastball, a nasty slider, and a clutch mentality.
Yankees gain strikeout depth and reliability
Bednar is not projected to immediately replace Devin Williams as closer. But his strikeout-heavy style and ability to neutralize left-handers provide new matchup flexibility. Manager Boone praised him, saying, “I’ve been pounding the table a little bit for a while now with him.”
Devin Williams and Luke Weaver are set for free agency after 2025. Adding Bednar and Doval gives the Yankees internal leverage and postseason depth bound through 2026, offering high-leverage insurance without surrendering top-tier prospects.
The Yankees surrendered only mid-level prospects in the deal. Rafael Flores, the headliner, has hefty power potential and played at Triple-A before the trade. Perez and Sanchez were lower-level prospects with upside but less urgency to protect on the 40-man roster.
What’s next for Yankees fans
Bednar joins a retooled Yankees bullpen just in time for the second half. He arrives not as a rental, but as part of a durable late‑inning core. With playoff pressure rising, Yankees fans can expect high‑velocity shutdown innings when games matter most. The hope is clear: Bednar helps the Yankees close out games, close the AL East gap, and make a deep postseason push.
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