The Pittsburgh Pirates have traded their All-Star closer, right-hander David Bednar, to the New York Yankees. The Pirates will receive catcher Rafael Flores, catcher/first baseman Edgleen Perez, and outfielder Brian Sanchez. The story was broken by numerous sources simultaneously. Credit to Jeff Passan of ESPN, Robert Murray of FanSided, and Francys Romero. The Yankees had been in contact with the Pirates about several players, and emerged with Bednar.
Report: Pirates Trade David Bednar to Yankees
The Yankees, who acquired All Star closer David Bednar, are sending the Pirates:
Catcher Rafael Flores, their No. 8 prospect
Cather/1B Edgleen Perez, their No. 14 prospect
Center fielder Brian Sanchez.— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 31, 2025
Bednar, 30, was an All-Star in 2022 and 2023. Over those two years, he was 6-7 with 58 saves, a 2.27 ERA, and a 1.109 WHIP, while leading the National League with 39 saves in 2023. When he slumped in 2024, falling to 3-8 with a 5.77 ERA and 1.422 WHIP while garnering 23 saves out of 30 opportunities, fans and critics thought that the Pirates missed an opportunity to trade him at peak value. That came without a drop in velocity, and the Pirates looked ahead to good things from Bednar.
After a rough start to 2025 and a banishment to Triple-A Indianapolis, however, Bednar regained the form and confidence that made him an All-Star. He comes to the Yankees with a 2-5 record, 2.37 ERA, 17 saves in as many opportunities, 1.96 FIP, 1.105 WHIP, and a career-best 5.10 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He carries a 33.1 per cent strikeout rate and a 6.5 per cent walk rate.
Yankees Get Their Man
The Yankees will pick up the remainder of David Bednar’s $5.9 million salary for 2025. He becomes arbitration-eligible in 2026 and a free agent in 2027. Outreach may not be as important in the Bronx as it is in Pittsburgh, but in any event, the Yankees will also be getting a public relations superstar known for good deeds and personal appearances in the community.
Rumors swirled around Bednar for a few days. It was believed that Pirates general manager Ben Cherington’s asking price was high. Time will tell whether the Yankees overpaid to get Bednar. Even so, it’s no surprise that they would be aggressive at the trade deadline. The Yankees are 59-49, in second place and four games behind a surprising Toronto Blue Jays team. Bednar is unlikely to step into closer Devin Williams’ role in 2025, but he should see plenty of action in high-leverage situations. Williams and setup man Luke Weaver both become free agents after this season. Thus, Bednar can take over as closer in 2026 before becoming a free agent himself.
Pirates Get Their Men, Too
It’s a disappointing end to Bednar’s Pirates tenure. Cherington recognized that the offense was in such dire straits that he might have to step outside the box and stop doing the same things over and over. Even so, this does look like the same thing, and fans looking for Spencer Jones will be disappointed with this return. If Cherington was going to trade an important piece like Bednar to the Yankees, he needed to get the trade right. Flores, as the only player close to major league-ready, was obviously the key to the deal. He’d better be good.
Meet the New Pirates
Flores, not to be confused with the Blue Jays prospect of the same name, was the Yankees’ No. 8 prospect. The 24-year-old right-handed hitter was at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he was 8-for-49. Previously in 2025, at Double-A Somerset, he hit .287/.346/.496, 15 HR, and 56 RBI. At six-foot-four, 232 pounds, scouts rave about his raw power and exit velocities. He has a good eye at the plate, as evidenced by his career .361 minor-league OBP. His defense needs work, and he also plays first base. He’s projected to arrive in the majors in 2026. The Pirates will enter 2026 with their catching situation far from settled. Perhaps Flores will get a good look in spring training.
Perez, 19, is the Yankees’ No.14 prospect, projected to arrive at the big time in 2028. In High-A Tampa this season, he hit .209/.368/.236. Perez is a disciplined hitter with his minor league career OBP of .394 as proof. Scouts believe he has sufficient power to hit 15 home runs in a major league season if he puts his offensive game together. His value lies more in his defensive abilities.
Sanchez, 21, was Perez’s teammate in Tampa, where he hit .281/.373/.438, 4 HR, and 36 RBI. The left-handed hitter plays all three outfield positions and isn’t a ranked prospect.
Main Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
