New York – The Yankees have locked onto the Pittsburgh Pirates’ bullpen as their primary target with the MLB trade deadline fast approaching. After bolstering their infield through trades for Ryan McMahon and Amed Rosario, Yankees management has zeroed in on Pittsburgh’s relief corps to address their most pressing need for postseason success.
This focused pursuit of Pirates’ arms represents a strategic shift toward building championship-caliber depth in their bullpen, though other options remain on their radar as alternatives.
Pirates’ prized target: David Bednar leading the charge
The Yankees’ Pittsburgh focus centers squarely on All-Star closer David Bednar, whose dominant 2025 campaign has made him one of baseball’s most coveted relievers. The hard-throwing right-hander has been exceptional this season, posting a stellar 2.19 ERA with 16 saves while showcasing the type of elite stuff that could transform New York’s late-innings approach.
Bednar’s arsenal revolves around pure power: his 97 mph four-seam fastball sets up a devastating curveball and an effective splitter that consistently induces weak contact. What makes him particularly attractive to the Yankees is his rare ability as a right-hander to neutralize left-handed batters more effectively—a quality that directly addresses a specific weakness in New York’s pitching staff.
The two-time All-Star’s strikeout ability ranks among baseball’s elite, evidenced by his outstanding 12.4 strikeouts per nine innings this season. With team control extending through 2026, Bednar offers both immediate impact and long-term stability, though Pittsburgh will demand significant prospect capital in return.
Pirates’ supporting cast: Multiple bullpen options
Beyond Bednar, the Yankees have expanded their Pittsburgh discussions to include several other Pirates relievers who could strengthen their bullpen depth.
Dennis Santana (RHP) has emerged as Pittsburgh’s breakout success story, delivering a sparkling 1.39 ERA in 2025 that has caught New York’s attention. His one-year, $1.4 million contract makes him an extremely cost-effective rental option with immediate availability.
Caleb Ferguson (LHP) presents another intriguing possibility for the Yankees’ bullpen needs. The left-hander has compiled a solid 3.74 ERA this season on a budget-friendly one-year, $3 million deal, offering quality southpaw depth at an affordable price point.
Andrew Heaney (LHP) represents a familiar face who could return to New York. The former Yankees arm is available on a reasonable one-year, $5.25 million contract, and while his 4.79 ERA isn’t spectacular, he provides veteran left-handed experience as a rental acquisition.
The Yankees have also expressed interest in Pirates starter Mitch Keller (RHP) as a potential rotation addition. Signed through 2028, Keller would provide significant starting depth for the playoff push, though this represents a departure from their primary bullpen focus.
Beyond Pittsburgh: Yankees’ alternative bullpen targets
While the Pirates dominate their bullpen search, the Yankees maintain interest in several non-Pittsburgh alternatives to ensure they don’t miss opportunities elsewhere.
Elite tier alternative: Jhoan Duran (Minnesota Twins)
Should Pittsburgh negotiations stall, Duran represents the premium alternative target. The Twins’ closer has evolved into baseball’s most dominant reliever, maintaining a brilliant 2.01 ERA with 16 saves despite slightly reduced velocity from his record-breaking peaks.
His development includes a lethal four-pitch mix featuring a new sweeper that destroys right-handed hitting with a remarkable 60% whiff rate. This enhanced arsenal has produced career-best results in limiting hard contact, making opposing hitters struggle to generate any meaningful offense. Under team control through 2027, Duran offers long-term value but would require a massive prospect package from the Yankees.
Minnesota Twins depth options
The Yankees have also monitored other Twins relievers as potential alternatives:
- Griffin Jax (RHP): Though posting a 4.00 ERA in 2025, Jax provides reliable relief work under team control through 2028, offering more than simple rental value.
- Brock Stewart (RHP): Stewart has been effective with a 2.38 ERA this season while earning just $870,000, making him an attractive low-cost rental option.
Colorado Rockies wild card: Jake Bird
An under-the-radar alternative emerges in Rockies reliever Jake Bird, who presents exceptional value potential. Despite pitching in hitter-friendly Coors Field, Bird ranks among the league’s top 20% in strikeout rate, average exit velocity allowed, and barrel rate prevention.
His arsenal combines a sinker, slider, and curveball effectively, with the sinker generating both swings-and-misses and ground balls consistently. Team control through 2028 makes him a valuable long-term asset, though recent struggles must be weighed against his overall strong profile.
Strategic focus: Pirates-centric approach
The Yankees’ concentrated pursuit of Pittsburgh’s bullpen reflects a calculated strategy to maximize their trade efficiency while addressing their most critical needs. By focusing heavily on the Pirates’ relief corps, New York can potentially acquire multiple pieces from a single seller, streamlining negotiations and preserving prospect capital.
This Pirates-first approach allows the Yankees to explore package deals that could include Bednar alongside secondary pieces like Santana or Ferguson, creating comprehensive bullpen improvements through unified transactions. Should Pittsburgh prove uncooperative, their alternative targets in Minnesota and Colorado provide viable backup options.
The New York Yankees’ front office is leaving no stone unturned in its quest to build a bullpen capable of winning a championship. From pursuing elite, franchise-altering relievers like Jhoan Duran and David Bednar to identifying valuable, cost-effective arms, the strategy is clear: add quality and depth. As the deadline approaches, the Yankees are positioned to be one of the most active teams, with a clear focus on making the necessary moves to secure their place as a top contender for the World Series title.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Why not bring some of this young power arms from the minors and use them as relief pitchers? Some of them are considered starters but at this point we need strong strike out arms. All we have are contact pitchers and IT’S NOT WORKING…