Pirates Trade Rumors: Yankees Interested in David Bednar
The trade market for relief pitchers has been moving at a rapid pace leading up to Thursday’s 6 p.m. ET deadline, and Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar is one of the top options still on the board.
Bednar is drawing interest from a handful of teams around the league, including the New York Yankees, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Heyman notes that bullpen is the top priority for the Yankees.
Bednar is having a strong bounce back season with the Pirates after struggling in 2024. In 42 games this year, he has a 2.37 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 38 innings while going a perfect 17 for 17 in save opportunities.
The Pirates don’t have to move Bednar at the deadline given that he’s arbitration-eligible again this winter before hitting free agency following the 2026 season. But given his increasing salary and the team’s need to add offense, a trade would make sense if the asking price is met.
It’s tough to envision the Yankees parting with top prospect George Lombard Jr. for a relief pitcher, but one player who will likely be of interest to the Pirates is outfielder Spencer Jones, who is tearing up Triple-A.
Further down the list of the Yankees’ top 30 prospects is catcher/first baseman Rafael Flores and infielder Roc Riggio. Outfielder Everson Periera, who has big league experience, could also be a player worth considering.
The Pirates have already made three trades leading up to the deadline and will in all likelihood make multiple more moves on Thursday before the deadline passes. Bednar is among the players generating a lot of interest.
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