08 Aug 2025
The $5.9 Million Steal: How the Yankees Robbed Pittsburgh for David Bednar
In a week filled with blockbuster trades and franchise-altering moves, one deal st...
In a week filled with blockbuster trades and franchise-altering moves, one deal stood out for all the wrong reasons. The Pittsburgh Pirates' decision to trade closer David Bednar to the New York Yankees has been universally panned as one of the worst deadline deals in recent memory, with Pirates fans calling it "abysmal" and "humiliating."
For the Yankees, it represents a masterclass in buying low on talent. For the Pirates, it's another chapter in a frustrating pattern of organizational mismanagement that has left their fanbase questioning everything.
From Lafayette to the Big Leagues
David Bednar's journey to this controversial trade began in the classrooms and baseball fields of Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. Unlike many of his current Yankees teammates who starred at powerhouse programs, Bednar took the road less traveled through the Patriot League.
At Lafayette, Bednar developed into the ace of the Leopards' staff. During his junior year in 2016, he led the team in virtually every pitching category - ERA (3.92), innings pitched (59.2), complete games (five), and strikeouts (70). His performance caught the attention of scouts, but being a small-college pitcher meant he'd have to prove himself at every level.
The San Diego Padres took a chance on the Lafayette product in the 35th round of the 2016 MLB Draft - pick number 1,044 overall. For context, that's the kind of selection teams make on organizational depth and lottery tickets, not future All-Stars. Bednar would spend the next several years proving that talent can emerge from anywhere.
The Pittsburgh Connection
What makes this trade particularly painful for Pirates fans is the local connection. Bednar was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area, graduating from Mars High School in Mars, Pennsylvania, before heading to Lafayette. He grew up watching the Pirates and represented everything the organization claims to value - local talent, work ethic, and development.
When Pittsburgh acquired Bednar in a three-team trade in January 2021, it felt like destiny. The hometown kid was coming home to anchor the bullpen for the team he grew up cheering for. The Pirates traded starting pitcher Joe Musgrove to San Diego as part of the deal, with Bednar being one of the key pieces coming back.
Initially, it looked like brilliant asset management by then-GM Ben Cherington.
The Rise to Stardom
Bednar's early years in Pittsburgh exceeded every expectation. After a solid 2021 debut season, he exploded onto the scene in 2022 and 2023, earning back-to-back All-Star selections and establishing himself as one of the premier closers in the National League.
His 2023 season was particularly dominant. Bednar led the National League with 39 saves in 42 opportunities, posting a sparkling 2.00 ERA across 67.1 innings. He struck out batters at an elite rate and rarely walked anyone, showing the kind of command that separates good closers from great ones.
The success was validation for both Bednar's perseverance and the Pirates' development system. Here was a 35th-round pick from a small college who had worked his way to the top of his profession while playing for his hometown team.
2024: The Bottom Falls Out
Then 2024 happened, and everything changed.
Bednar's 2024 season was a disaster by any measure. He posted a career-worst 5.77 ERA with seven blown saves in 62 appearances. Batters who had previously struggled against his signature slider were making solid contact. His command disappeared, leading to uncharacteristic walks and hit batters.
The struggles carried into 2025's spring training, where Bednar looked lost on the mound. In late March, the Pirates made the difficult decision to option their former All-Star closer to Triple-A Indianapolis - a humbling demotion that could have ended his career as an impact player.
The Remarkable Comeback
What happened next is why the Yankees' trade acquisition looks so savvy in hindsight.
Rather than sulking about his demotion, Bednar used his time in Triple-A to completely rebuild his mechanics and approach. Working with Indianapolis pitching coaches, he rediscovered the form that had made him an All-Star. When he returned to the majors, he was better than ever.
In 37 innings since his recall, Bednar posted a dazzling 1.70 ERA with a 34.5% strikeout rate and just a 5.5% walk rate. Those numbers aren't just good - they're elite closer material, the kind of performance that typically costs multiple top prospects in a trade.
David Bednar's 2025 Turnaround
| Period | ERA | Strikeout Rate | Walk Rate | Saves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Demotion | 6.23 | 22.1% | 12.3% | 0 |
| Post-Recall | 1.70 | 34.5% | 5.5% | 15 |
Source: Baseball Reference and MLB.com
The Trade Deadline Debacle
Despite Bednar's remarkable turnaround, the Pirates found themselves in a familiar position at the trade deadline - sellers looking to add prospects to their farm system. Multiple contending teams had shown interest in Bednar, including the Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
This is where things went horribly wrong for Pittsburgh.
According to reports, the Pirates were seeking a top-five prospect in any organization for Bednar. They had scouts watching Detroit's Double-A affiliate, suggesting serious discussions about premium talent. Other teams were reportedly offering packages built around legitimate prospects.
Instead, the Pirates accepted what can only be described as a pitiful return from the Yankees: catching prospect Rafael Flores, minor league catcher Edgleen Perez, and minor league outfielder Brian Sanchez.
None of these players rank among the Yankees' top prospects. Flores, the headliner, is a 24-year-old who has struggled to hit for average in the upper minors. The other two pieces are organizational depth at best.
Why This Was Highway Robbery
To understand just how lopsided this trade was, consider what other elite relievers have commanded recently:
- The Philadelphia Phillies traded top prospects to acquire Jhoan Duran
- The San Diego Padres gave up significant talent for Mason Miller
- Even rental relievers typically cost at least one legitimate prospect
The Yankees essentially acquired a proven closer with another year of control for the equivalent of spare parts. It's the kind of deal that makes other front offices wonder if they should have made a stronger push.
The Yankees' Perspective
From New York's standpoint, this trade represents exactly the kind of low-risk, high-reward move that championship teams make. They identified a player whose recent struggles had depressed his value, did their homework on his underlying metrics, and pounced when Pittsburgh showed they were willing to sell low.
Bednar immediately slots into a Yankees bullpen that includes Clay Holmes and Luke Weaver, giving manager Aaron Boone multiple options for high-leverage situations. His $5.9 million salary is easily absorbed by the Yankees' payroll, and having him under control through 2026 provides valuable flexibility.
For a team with championship aspirations, adding a proven closer for organizational depth is the kind of move that can pay dividends in October.
Pirates Fan Fury
The reaction in Pittsburgh has been swift and severe. Social media exploded with criticism of GM Ben Cherington, with many fans calling for his immediate dismissal. Local media has been equally harsh, with one reporter describing the trade as potentially "the final straw" for Cherington's tenure.
The criticism isn't just about the poor return - it's about the pattern. Under Cherington's leadership, the Pirates have consistently traded away valuable assets for underwhelming prospects while failing to build a competitive team. Trading away a hometown hero for such little return feels like the ultimate insult to a fanbase that has endured decades of losing.
"Real classy organization," one frustrated fan posted on social media, capturing the mood of a city that feels betrayed by its baseball team.
Looking Ahead
For Bednar, this trade represents a fresh start with a championship-caliber organization. The Lafayette College product who worked his way up from the 35th round now has a chance to pitch in meaningful October games for the first time in his career.
For the Yankees, they've added a potential difference-maker for virtually nothing. If Bednar continues his 2025 form into the playoffs, this trade will look even better in retrospect.
For the Pirates, this trade represents another missed opportunity and another reason for fans to question the organization's direction. They had a proven closer, hometown hero, and valuable trade asset - and somehow managed to get almost nothing in return.
The Bottom Line
The David Bednar trade will be remembered as one of the most lopsided deadline deals in recent memory. The Yankees identified value where others saw risk, swooped in with a lowball offer, and somehow convinced Pittsburgh to accept it.
For $5.9 million and minimal prospect capital, New York may have just acquired the missing piece for another championship run. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh is left explaining to their fans how they managed to give away a proven closer for so little in return.
It's a masterclass in how trades should be made - and how they definitely shouldn't be.
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