Jul 1, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher David Bednar (51) reacts after the final out against the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Charles LeClaire
The Phillies have been connected to numerous relievers this trade season, and one name that keeps coming up is 30-year-old Pirates' reliever David Bednar.
The right-hander is from Pittsburgh, but has ties to this side of the state having attended Lafayette College in Easton. This is in his fifth season as a Pirate and his seventh overall major league season. Bednar currently boasts a 2.37 ERA on the season, with 17 saves and 51 strikeouts across 38 innings of work.
Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette linked Bednar to the Phillies yet again Tuesday morning:
"The Tigers, Phillies and Rangers are three clubs that have contacted the Pirates about Bednar. With a handful of others likely interested, general manager Ben Cherington is looking to sell high on his blue chip bullpen asset.
"Per league sources, the asking price for Bednar has included, at minimum, an organization's top-five prospect. While for some relievers this could be viewed as an ambitious goal, one league source suggests this to be a fair starting point for a player of Bednar's caliber."
Bednar has indeed been a high-caliber reliever recently — and has one remaining arbitration year in 2026, so he wouldn't be a rental — but history says he is usually either red-hot or ice-cold.
Bednar was actually optioned to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians on April 1 after getting rocked and picking up two losses in the Pirates' first three games. His dismal three appearances in the Pirates' season-opening series saw him register a 27.00 ERA and a 6.00 WHIP as the Miami Marlins mashed .571 against him. This came after he posted a 5.77 ERA in 62 games last season.
However, Bednar was an All-Star in both 2022 and 2023, and since he was called back up on April 19, he has absolutely turned his season around. Through June and July, he has just one earned run against him, posting an 0.00 ERA in 10 June innings and a 0.96 ERA in 9 1/3 July frames so far.
“The best player available at the trade deadline” is actually David Bednar. Hasn’t allowed a run in TWO MONTHS. 16 straight saves.
Whoever fixed him when he was sent down to AAA needs a major league job now pic.twitter.com/aU0f7sHdSv
Between Guardians' reliever Emmanuel Clase being off the market and Bednar's recent dominance, the Pirates have a right to seek a big return. However, with his streaky tendencies, potential suitors also have a right to be wary.
If the Pirates want a top-five prospect, then the Phillies' options are RHP Andrew Painter, SS Aidan Miller, OF Justin Crawford, C Eduardo Tait and 2B Aroon Escobar. Of those five, Painter and Crawford are the closest to the majors in Triple-A, with Miller in Double-A and Tait and Escobar both in High-A. By all accounts, Painter is off the table, and the Phillies would probably prefer to keep Crawford since he could help them down the stretch.
Will the Phillies be willing to part with any of the other three? Could the reward be higher than the clear risk? We'll find out soon.
