The New York Yankees may have finally reinforced their inconsistent bullpen ahead of this evening’s MLB trade deadline.
As ESPN’s Jeff Passan first reported, the Bombers are acquiring closer David Bednar from the Pittsburgh Pirates pending a physical. Daily Mail has since confirmed this agreement with a Pirates spokesperson.
Bednar, 30, has been efficient for the struggling Pirates, posting a 2.37 earned-run average while allowing just 1.11 base runners per inning. The Butler County, Pennsylvania native is a two-time All-Star who led the National League in saves in 2023 after starting his successful career in San Diego.
And Yankees GM Brian Cashman wasn’t done there. He also acquired right-handed reliever Jake Bird from the Colorado Rockies for second baseman Roc Riggio and southpaw Ben Shields, as first reported by YES analyst Jack Curry. Bird has struggled in 2025, posting a 4.73 EA with 62 strikeouts in 51.1 innings of work.
Bird and Bednar now join a bullpen that has disappointed in 2025 following the highly publicized acquisition of former Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams, who has struggled in his first season in the Bronx.
Aside from Williams and his 5.01 ERA, other struggling Yankees relievers have included Mark Leiter (4.46 ERA) and Jonathan Loáisiga, who is currently battling an undisclosed injury.
Closer David Bednar (pictured) has been efficient for the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates, posting a 2.37 earned-run average while allowing just 1.11 base runners per inning
Reliever Jake Bird is seeing being pulled from a game in Cleveland earlier this week
But things haven’t been all bad for the Yankees’ bullpen.
Luke Weaver (3.10 ERA) has once again been reliable in late-innings work, while 35-year-old southpaw Tim Hill (2.72 ERA) seems to have discovered a fountain of youth on 161st Street.
The return for the Pirates includes a pair of promising prospects: 24-year-old Triple-A catcher Rafael Flores and 19-year-old Single-A catcher Edgleen Perez.
Flores is described by Passan as being ready for the majors, while Perez has posted a solid .368 on-base percentage in 2025, albeit while struggling to make contact (.206 batting average).
New York wasn’t the only contender to bolster its bullpen before Thursday’s 6pm EST trade deadline.
The Detroit Tigers acquired reliever Paul Sewald from the Cleveland Guardians and closer Kyle Finnegan from the Washington Nationals. Meanwhile the San Diego Padres got Athletics closer Mason Miller for a bevy of prospects as the Philadelphia Phillies brought in flame-throwing Minnesota Twins closer Jhoan Durán.
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