MLB Trade Rumors: The New York Yankees are acquiring reliever David Bednar from the Pittsburgh Pirates, per multiple reports.
Bednar is someone that the Texas Rangers have seemingly had interest in for years, and moments before news broke of the deal, Jon Heyman tweeted that the Rangers and the Yankees were the finalists for Bednar, who doesn’t hit free agency until after 2026.
Bednar had three excellent years for the Pirates from 2021-23, then had a rocky 2024 season that saw him post a 5.77 ERA in
62 games. After allowing runs in his first three appearances this year, he was optioned, but since his return has had a 1.70 ERA and 1.47 FIP in 37 innings.
24 year old catcher Rafael Flores is one of three players reportedly going to the Pirates in the deal. He slashed .287/.346/.496 in 87 games at AA this year before being promoted to AAA, where he is slashing .211/.388/.289 through 10 games. He is #8 on the BA Yankees list.
UPDATE — Also going to Pittsburgh in the deal are A ball catcher Edgleen Perez and A ball outfielder Brian Sanchez, who were ranked 16 and 24 on the BA list.
