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NEW YORK – On MLB’s trade deadline day, the Yankees were close to landing impact reliever in David Bednar.
As first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Yanks were finalizing with the Pittsburgh Pirates for the right-handed Bednar, pending the medical reviews.
A two-time All-Star closer with Pittsburgh, Bednar, 30, has one year of team control remaining beyond this season, earning $5.9 million in 2025.
Per FanSided’s Robert Murray, the Yankees are parting with top organizational catching prospect Rafael Flores in the deal. Recently promoted to Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Flores is rated the Yanks’ No. 8 prospect by MLB Pipeline.
The Yankees have also sent Class A minor leaguers Edgleen Perez, a catcher-first baseman, and outfielder Brian Sanchez to Pittsburgh. Perez is the No. 14 rated Yankees prospect per MLB Pipeline.
David Bednar stats for 2025 season
Bednar is having a terrific year, posting a 2.37 ERA (182 ERA-plus) in 42 games, with 17 saves and 51 strikeouts in 38 innings, with a 1.185 WHIP.
Bednar’s 33.1 strikeout rate is a product of his three-pitch arsenal, with a 97.1-mph four seam fastball, a curveball, and a splitter.
This has been a big bounce back year for Bednar, who posted a 5.77 ERA in 62 games last season.
Later Thursday afternoon, the Yankees added San Francisco Giants’ closer Camilo Doval and Colorado Rockies setup reliever Jake Bird via trades.
After the Yankees’ 7-4 win against the Tampa Bay Rays at the Stadium, manager Aaron Boone praised his current closer Devin Williams, but added that specific late-inning bullpen roles hadn’t immediately been defined.
“Let’s get them all there and have those conversations,’’ Boone said. “I know we got three high quality arms to add to our ‘pen. We feel we have some real depth down there now.’’
Both Williams and key setup reliever (and late 2024 Yankees closer) Luke Weaver are in their free agent walk years, with Bednar entering his final arbitration eligible year before free agency in after the 2026 season.