Perrotto: Write off David Bednar at Your Own Risk

So where does David Bednar go from here?

The Pittsburgh Pirates optioned their two-time All-Star closer to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday night before losing 7-0 to the Tampa Bay Rays on the road, dropping them to 1-5.

A spot had to open on the 26-man roster for the addition of right-hander Thomas Harrington, who came up from Triple-A Indianapolis and had a miserable major-league debut. He allowed six runs, seven hits and four walks in four innings.

However, Harrington’s misery did not match that of Bednar. It had to be a bitter pill for Bednar, the hometown hero from March, and an All-Star in 2022 and 2023.

Bednar’s demotion is justifiable. He was a major culprit in the Pirates’ awful start by allowing runs in each of his three appearances.

Yet the decision also came as a surprise.

It is rare to see a two-time All-Star get demoted. It is also hard to imagine that penurious owner Bob Nutting is happy that Indianapolis’ bullpen now includes a pitcher who is making $5.9 million this season.

However, the Pirates had to do something with Bednar, especially after posting a 5.72 ERA in 62 games last season.

Keeping Bednar in the major leagues and using him in mop-up situations would have been one way to get him on track. However, that is not the best way.

The Pirates can control Bednar’s environment at Indianapolis. They can put him on a regular schedule just like a pitcher who was there on an injury rehab assignment.

However, pitchers can only stay in the minor leagues for 30 days on rehab. By optioning Bednar, the Pirates can keep him in Indianapolis indefinitely while he tries to regain the form from his first three seasons with the team from 2021-23.

It is instructive to remember that Bednar was among the best relievers in the major leagues during those three years, compiling a sparkling 2.25 ERA over 172 games. Bednar’s 39 saves in 2023 tied for the National League lead with the San Francisco Giants’ Camilo Doval.

Doval was demoted to Triple-A last season and spent two weeks with Sacramento in August. He finished with a 4.88 ERA in 59 games for the Giants.

It’s the ephemeral nature of closers.

There aren’t many Mariano Riveras and Trevor Hoffmans, who could be consistently counted for 30-plus saves a season. That is why they are Hall of Famers while most closers have a short shelf life.

Bednar’s days of being a premier closer might be over. The fact that he was tagged for 10 runs in eight innings in Grapefruit League play during spring training was also alarming.

However, Bednar is 30. He is young enough to turn his career around.

Whether he will or not remains to be seen, but I don’t understand the hate Bednar has been getting on social media and talk shows. He certainly deserves criticism and boos because of his performance. Bednar would be the first to admit that.

However, there appears to be a segment of hostile fans rooting for Bednar to fail. That is sad.

Bednar is a hometown guy from Mars and is heavily involved in the community. Nobody embraces being a yinzer more than him.

The Pirates’ putrid start understandably fuels the anger, especially after 28 losing seasons in the last 32 years. Yet Bednar is someone worth cheering for.

If the Pirates are going to salvage anything from a season that already feels like it is slipping away, they need the old David Bednar.

I wouldn’t bet against him.