(Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
The Pittsburgh Pirates were one of the hottest teams in baseball in the month of April.
It looked like they were finally ready to compete for a playoff spot after years of mediocrity.
They have cooled off since and currently hold a 43-56 record that has them in last place of the NL Central division, one that they used to lead a few months ago.
In reality, they might not be that far from contending: with the injection of youth and talent they have given the team through the draft and the minors, they could be competing for a spot in the postseason in a year or two.
It’s clear, however, that 2023 is not going to be their year.
That means they could potentially trade some players that don’t fit in their future, and even some of them that do… if the price is right.
Closer David Bednar is not only a local star and a fan favorite, but he is also one of the best players on the roster.
He is perhaps Pittsburgh’s most enticing trade piece among the realistic targets: they aren’t going to trade Oneil Cruz, Henry Davis, or Endy Rodriguez.
According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, he could be had but for a high price.
“Pirates are telling teams they’d listen on All-Star closer David Bednar but the understanding is that he’d be difficult to move since he isn’t a free agent until 2027. The Pittsburgh native (another plus for the Bucs) has a 1.15 ERA,” he tweeted.
Pirates are telling teams they’d listen on All-Star closer David Bednar but the understanding is that he’d be difficult to move since he isn’t a free agent until 2027. The Pittsburgh native (another plus for the Bucs) has a 1.15 ERA.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 24, 2023
Bednar was an All-Star and has an elite 30.3 percent strikeout rate besides the incredible 1.15 ERA.
He is a relief ace with multiple years of team control left.
The prospect capital required to bring him in, for every team, will be very high.
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