Yankees Add Bullpen Help Ahead of Trade Deadline

The New York Yankees have made a significant move just ahead of the MLB trade deadline. They’ve reached an agreement to bring in relief pitcher David Bednar from the Pittsburgh Pirates. This deal, however, is still awaiting a medical examination.

To acquire Bednar, the Yankees are sending over a package that includes Rafael Flores, who is considered the team’s eighth-best prospect according to MLB Pipeline. Alongside him, they are parting with 19-year-old Ed Glene Perez and outfielder Brian Sanchez.

Bednar, a two-time All-Star, has had quite the season, racking up 17 saves with a 2.37 ERA over 38 innings pitched. It’s worth noting, though, that he faced challenges in 2024—he had a 5.77 ERA in 57.2 innings but still managed 23 saves.

The Yankees desperately needed reinforcement in their bullpen, as previous key players like Luke Weaver and Devin Williams have struggled this season. Adding Bednar is a crucial step, especially since Weaver and Williams became free agents after the year. Bednar also comes with another year of team control, which means he’ll be around until the end of the 2026 season before hitting free agency in 2027.

The buzz around trades is escalating, particularly as teams push for playoff positions before the deadline. The San Diego Padres, for example, made headlines by trading Leo DeVries, a former Yankee, in a blockbuster with the Oakland Athletics. Meanwhile, the New York Mets have bolstered their bullpen with new additions like Gregory Soto and Tyler Rogers.

As the clock ticks down to the 6 PM ET deadline, there’s still time for teams to finalize their trades. It’s going to be an interesting finish for this trade season.