The New York Yankees had a busy day forward of the Main League Baseball commerce deadline. After New York added Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies, the floodgates had been thrown open. Thursday’s trades had been largely centered on bringing in bullpen depth to assist Aaron Boone’s relievers. One of many first strikes the Yankees made was buying and selling for Pittsburgh Pirates nearer David Bednar.
Whereas the commerce turned heads, it was not the one improve New York made to their bullpen. Simply earlier than the 6pm EST deadline, the Yankees revealed that they traded for San Francisco Giants reliever Camilo Doval. With these two strikes, Boone now has 4 completely different pitchers he can flip to which have expertise as closers. They’re now a formidable pressure in shut video games.
The Yankees gave up three prospects to carry Bednar in, together with the No. 8 participant of their farm system. Nevertheless, basic supervisor Brian Cashman thought-about it a becoming value to pay for a participant that would get them to the World Collection but once more. After New York misplaced a number of shut video games within the Fall Traditional final yr, not having an upgraded bullpen is just unacceptable.
For the Pirates, Bednar was an early commerce candidate. The nearer has been one of many few shiny spots on Pittsburgh’s roster outdoors of Paul Skenes. Sadly for him, his numbers suffered as a result of he hardly ever obtained the prospect to safe saves for the Pirates. Pittsburgh’s entrance workplace made strikes with their future in thoughts on the MLB commerce deadline.
Bednar’s exit represents the Pirates formally giving up on the 2025 season. The Yankees, alternatively, have purchased in on this yr’s roster. They may attempt to compete and avenge their World Collection loss.
Listed below are grades for every group after the commerce.
Pirates: B-
In an ideal world, the Pirates didn’t need to commerce Bednar away on the MLB commerce deadline. Nevertheless, the 2025 common season has been something however good for Pittsburgh. After coming into the season with a number of hype and hope for a playoff berth, virtually each participant on the roster got here out flat. Issues obtained so dangerous that the Pirates fired their supervisor early within the season.
When it was clear that the group was going nowhere this yr, Bednar’s identify was the primary one thrown round in rumors. The previous All-Star has been a constant possibility out of Pittsburgh’s bullpen for years. Nevertheless, the previous All-Star was not secure in commerce talks. Though groups known as about him, the one Pirates participant that was untouchable was Skenes.
Whereas Bednar’s numbers had been good but once more this season, shifting off of his expiring deal was a no brainer. He’ll obtain a costlier deal when he turns into a free agent this winter. Whereas Pittsburgh would have favored to maintain him, most of, if not all of their cash will go in the direction of signing Skenes to a long-term deal. Each different participant’s contract is a a lot smaller precedence.
Rafael Flores, the highest prospect the Pirates obtained in return for Bednar, is an intriguing participant. He isn’t prepared for the foremost leagues simply but. Nevertheless, he may very well be an issue when he will get there. For a group attempting to construct a contender round Skenes, Flores may develop right into a key offensive piece alongside Oneil Cruz. He and the opposite prospects may very well be a lift down the highway.
Yankees: A-
Bednar joins a laundry record of relievers New York traded for. He, Doval, and Jake Fowl are large additions to the Yankees’ bullpen. Boone went from having restricted choices in later innings to with the ability to craft completely different methods relying on the opponent in entrance of him. Whereas he isn’t the most important identify of the three, Bednar may very well be the one which has the most important influence.
Devin Williams had his struggles with the Yankees early within the common season. Regardless of beginning sluggish, the previous Milwaukee Brewer has discovered his stride. The nearer function is his to lose for the remainder of the season. Nevertheless, he now has extra stress to carry out because of the brand new additions to the group. Nevertheless, Bednar’s greatest function in Boone’s bullpen just isn’t because the nearer.
The previous Pirates All-Star has a 2.37 ERA in 38 innings pitched this season. He has 17 saves this season, however the Yankees will give him an opportunity to lock down holds as an alternative, setting issues up for Williams within the ninth inning. That form of function places a lot much less stress on Bednar to succeed, particularly as he enters the primary postseason of his profession later this season if New York will get there.
Boone, for one, is comfortable to have his new relievers able to go.
“We’ve obtained to enhance in some areas,” Boone mentioned. “I do really feel like hopefully with a few of the folks on the rise for us … hopefully [those] are large offers for us and we get to take our shot right here these subsequent couple of months at getting again to [the World Series] and hopefully profitable all of it.”