The Yankees announced Monday that they have extended the qualifying offer to closer David Bednar, which would be worth $23.15 million.
Notably, but perhaps unsurprisingly, the Yankees did not extend the qualifying offer to Jazz Chisholm.
Bednar now has until Nov. 17 to accept or reject the offer, but the two sides can still negotiate a new contract and bring the 32-year-old back on a longer-term deal.
The Yankee bullpen was one of the strongest in baseball based on collective ERA, and Bednar was a major reason why. One of the most reliable closers in baseball all season long, Bednar pitched to a 2.47 ERA in 69.1 innings of work, the latter mark a career high. He holds a 2.39 ERA as a Yankee since being acquired from the Pirates prior to the trade deadline in 2025.
The Yankee bullpen could look a lot different next season, as Bednar could potentially become a free agent and join the likes of Paul Blackburn and several other New York relievers that are set to hit the open market.
As for Chisholm, many expected big things from the two-time All-Star in a contract year, but instead, he struggled, hitting below league average based on OPS+ while hitting just .231 with 19 home runs. Chisholm posted a 4.1 WAR in an All-Star campaign with the Yankees in 2025, but that mark dropped way down to 1.7 in 2026, despite playing in seven more games. The Yankees theoretically could still agree to a deal with Chisholm, but many expect him to sign elsewhere this winter.
Bednar has until Nov. 17 to accept or reject the offer.
Bednar has until Nov. 17 to accept or reject the offer.
