The Yankees have added some much-needed bullpen help in a reported trade with the Pirates.
According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, New York has acquired reliever David Bednar, a two-time All-Star who has spent his entire seven-year career in a relief role.
Per The Athletic's Stephen Nesbitt, the Yanks send Rafael Flores and two other prospects back to Pittsburgh.
The 30-year-old righty led the National League with 39 saves in 2023, posting a 2.00 ERA in 66 games, earning a second straight All-Star selection. He took a major step back in 2024, as his ERA ballooned to 5.77 in 62 appearances, but he has returned to form in 2025, pitching to a 2.37 ERA in 38 innings of work.
Bednar is currently posting a career-best 12.1 strikeouts per nine innings, while his command has been the best of his career so far, walking 2.4 batters per nine.
The Yanks could use the bullpen help given Luke Weaver’s intermittent struggles since returning from a hamstring injury, while Devin Williams has yet to find his typical superstar consistency in 2025. Bednar represents a new weapon for Aaron Boone to deploy in the later innings.