Latest news with #DavidBednar
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pros and Cons: Should Mets trade for David Bednar?
At one point early this season, David Bednar looked like anything but a potential bullpen savior for a contender. The Pirates closer was so awful in his first three appearances – coming off an uncharacteristically rough 2024 season – that the two-time All-Star was demoted to Triple-A to get right. He stayed in the minors almost three weeks before returning, and his ERA was a bloated 5.52 as recently as May 23. But Bednar has turned around his season since – 18 appearances, no earned runs – and the righty could be the biggest impact reliever moved at the trade deadline. Maybe the Mets should pursue him to bolster the bridge to Edwin Díaz. Despite his wobbles across 2024-25, Bednar has been a dominant reliever for long stretches in his career. From 2021-23, he had a 2.25 ERA and struck out 226 in 179.2 innings while allowing just 135 hits. So should David Stearns and his front office pepper the Pirates with calls about Bednar? Let us consider the pros and cons of such a deal. Pros Fortifying the bullpen might be the biggest need for a Mets team with a real chance this October. Mets relievers have accumulated 3.3 WAR so far this season, seventh-best in MLB via FanGraphs, and their pen ERA is 3.83 (14th in MLB). But there are looming workload concerns. They have used 31 different pitchers in relief, thrown the fourth-most relief pitches in MLB and have recorded 371 innings from the bullpen, tied for seventh-most with the Rockies. Perhaps most alarming, they are getting five innings per start from the rotation. Only four teams get fewer innings pitched per start. The average team is getting two more outs per night from the rotation than the Mets. Acquiring Bednar would allow the Mets to change their bullpen pecking order and get bigger arms into games earlier. Bednar, who has pitched comfortably in a setup role before, would be an eighth-inning beast capable of facing the best hitters in an opposing lineup. He also could close on nights Díaz must rest. Bednar, who will be 31 in October, was the National League Reliever of the Month for June when he struck out 16 of the 36 batters he faced. This season, he has a 2.53 ERA, and his 12.7 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9 would both be the best marks of his career. Overall, he is striking out 34.6 percent of batters, in the 96th percentile of MLB, according to Statcast. Bednar features a 97-mile-per-hour four-seam fastball, a plunging, high-70s curveball that changes pace and eye level and a splitter that goes low 90s. The expected slugging percentage on at-bats that end on his curve is a microscopic .147. Cons Relievers are combustible. It's a fact of pitching life. Bednar went through woes over the past two seasons, finishing 2024 with a 5.77 ERA. He allowed nine home runs in 57.2 innings, a 1.4 HR/9 that was easily his worst since he became a valuable part of the Pittsburgh pen. His K/9 and BB/9 were career worsts for a full season, too. The 2023 season might be peak Bednar – he led the NL with 39 saves – and he got batters to chase at a rate in the 96th percentile that year. But that number has gone down over the past two seasons. Now, hitters are chasing at a rate in the 46th percentile. Will that matter? He's still getting plenty of outs. Prospect cost is always a concern, especially for a club committed to its farm system like the Mets. Bednar is under club control for one more season and won't hit free agency until after the 2026 season, which might up the asking price since whatever team might acquire him gets more than a year of potentially-great relief pitching. Here's another con, though it's certainly no strike against Bednar – he's a Pittsburgh local. He was a 35th-round pick by the Padres out of Lafayette College in Easton, Pa. and got to his hometown team via the three-team trade between the Padres, Mets and Pirates in 2021 that sent Joey Lucchesi to New York. He's used the Styx song 'Renegade' as a warm-up tune – that's also a famed anthem of the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers. The Pirates (39-58) don't seem to be going anywhere, but would they really trade a hometown kid made good? Verdict Easy – the Mets should go get Bednar if he's available. You could probably say the same about most available relievers, even those without his huge upside. He is making $5.9 million this season and will surely get a raise in arbitration. Would the Pirates really pay big money for a reliever after this season? Maybe that mitigates the ultimate asking price. This Mets season is too promising not to add significant bullpen help. It's great to have so much promise on the farm, but part of the system's purpose is to fuel the big league operation, too. Envision this – an October night this fall, Kodai Senga delivering seven superlative innings against a rugged playoff opponent. Bednar comes in for a shutdown eighth, Díaz for a blazing ninth. As Gary Cohen would say, 'And the ballgame is over!'
New York Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Do Tigers have what it takes in second half to win it all?
DETROIT — In the first half of the MLB season, the Detroit Tigers sought to gain respect, to prove last fall was no fluke, to assert themselves as one of baseball's best teams and overall organizations. Mission accomplished. In MLB's second half, the team with the league's best record (59-38) faces a task that might be even more challenging. With respect comes expectations. With winning comes pressure. With six All-Stars, an elite starting pitcher, and the chances to fortify weaknesses at the trade deadline, there is an opportunity for the Tigers to do something they have not done in a long time. Advertisement The Tigers have not won a World Series since 1984. They have not appeared in one since 2012. Play like the Tigers did in the first half, and the tenor of every conversation changes. The lens through which we view this team alters. Here, then, is a sampling of the biggest Tigers storylines as we return from the All-Star break: The Tigers entered the break with a 5.18 bullpen ERA since June 1. That ranks 26th in the league. For the entire season, the bullpen ranks dead last in whiff rate. The takeaway here? The bullpen isn't good enough to win a championship without some combination of external additions and internal improvements. This could be the defining issue of the Tigers' second half. The Tigers will likely add a leverage reliever — perhaps more than one — at the trade deadline. Aroldis Chapman and David Bednar are two trendy names. However, the next two weeks could also go a long way in determining who buys, sells and what pitchers end up being available. The trade market for relief pitching will also be competitive. There are only a select few teams with genuine championship aspirations, while many teams hope to remain in wild-card contention. The potential for a small number of sellers might mean prices will be at a premium. That's only one more reason to remember the Tigers made the playoffs last year, mainly because of unprecedented internal additions and developments that helped them create baseball's best pitching staff in August and September. The ideal path forward probably doesn't involve Tyler Holton or Tommy Kahnle recapturing their form. Instead, it requires someone like Dylan Smith or Tyler Owens to emerge as a gem or a recognizable name coming to Detroit and locking down the ninth inning. Ideally, it's some combination of all three. Advertisement So much has gone right for the Tigers this season. At the All-Star Game in Atlanta, multiple agents chuckled at the surreal sight of the Tigers having six representatives and the best record in baseball. In the second half, some of these positive developments will be put to the test. Just a small sampling: Can Javier Báez continue his terrific turnaround? So far, he's weathered every potential downturn. Even since June 1, Báez is hitting .278 with a solid .748 OPS. Likely to play far more shortstop from now to the end of the season, the Tigers need Báez to remain productive. Zach McKinstry's unexpected All-Star season also has few signs of being a mirage. Although his average exit velocity ranks in the bottom sixth percentile of MLB hitters, his launch-angle sweet spot percentage — the percentage of time he hits a ball with an ideal launch angle between 8 and 32 degrees — is one of the best rates. McKinstry entered the break on another tear, with a 1.031 OPS in 12 July games. Spencer Torkelson also remains a huge X-factor for the Tigers. His 21 home runs and 59 RBIs have made for terrific middle-of-the-order production, but his batting average over his past 34 games is only .226. Torkelson has maintained good batted-ball metrics all season, making a strong case that he might continue to rake in the second half. In the first half, only five MLB teams scored more runs than the Tigers. The team's overall run differential of plus-87 — even with that shoddy bullpen performance — ranks third in MLB behind only the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees. The Tigers were never built to live by the long ball, but it's worth noting the last team to win the World Series without ranking in the top four in home runs was the 2019 Washington Nationals. The Tigers currently rank eighth with 124 home runs. Advertisement From now to season's end, the Tigers have to be hoping Parker Meadows and Matt Vierling can find their groove after missing much of the season with injuries. Assuming Kerry Carpenter comes back quickly from his hamstring injury, roster spots are at a premium. The Tigers could seek to add another right-handed bat (even though Jahmai Jones has a .957 OPS in his first 48 plate appearances). However, one thing we don't know: How badly does the Tigers' front office feel the team needs to add offense? Would they deem it worth paying for a slugger like Arizona's Eugenio Suárez? Keep in mind that other teams, such as the Yankees, might be eyeing Suárez, too. It will be fascinating to see whether the Tigers stick with what they have and keep playing lineup roulette, or if their trade-deadline desires will transcend the pitching staff. (Top photo of Javier Báez: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Philadelphia Phillies reportedly eyeing trade for 2 relievers from same team
The Philadelphia Phillies are one of the best teams in baseball this season, positioning themselves to be buyers at the MLB trade deadline. With multiple needs to address, the team has had recent talks with a National League club about two players. According to Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Phillies have inquired with the Pittsburgh Pirates about the availability of relief pitchers Dennis Santana and David Bednar. Philadelphia has reportedly had a long-standing interest in both pitchers. Advertisement Related: Philadelphia Phillies game today, Phillies schedule Philadelphia Phillies bullpen stats (FanGraphs): 4.41 ERA (24th in MLB), 1.37 WHIP (23rd in MLB) Both relievers are known to be available, as Pittsburgh intends to be aggressive sellers at the MLB trade deadline. Santana, who carries a $1.4 million salary this season, is arbitration-eligible for the 2026 season. The 29-year-old righty holds a 1.46 ERA and 0.78 WHIP across 37 innings pitched this season, holding opponents to a .172 batting average. Bednar, a two-time All-Star selection, is making $5.9 million this season and is arbitration-eligible for the final time this winter. After a rough start to the season, a 5.52 ERA in 14.2 innings, Bednar has thrown 15 shutout innings with a 20-4 K-BB ratio and just six hits allowed since May 24. Santana is the more cost-effective option, but Bednar's closing experience could make him an ideal fit for Philadelphia. With the club struggling to find a viable outfielder in the trade market, the team could instead add multiple relievers this month. Advertisement Related Headlines
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
MLB Insider Proposes Blockbuster Trade Idea Solving Three Cubs' Issues
MLB Insider Proposes Blockbuster Trade Idea Solving Three Cubs' Issues originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Cubs had a stellar first half of the MLB season, finishing with a 57-39 record, good for first place in the National League Central and the second-best record in the NL. However, with the incredible first half, the Cubs sit just a game above the Milwaukee Brewers in the division. Advertisement Like many teams, Chicago will be buyers at the 2025 MLB trade deadline. But with the Brewers' strong push before the All-Star break, the Cubs may have to be even more aggressive to put themselves in a position to win their division and make a run in the postseason. The Cubs' primary need is starting pitching. But, after that, the Cubs could use a third baseman and some bullpen help. The two main starting pitching names thrown around are Pittsburgh Pirates' pitcher Mitch Keller and Miami Marlins' pitcher Sandy Alcantara, as the two teams are obvious sellers at the deadline. Pirates' reliever David Bednar has also been a hot name for top relief pitching. There are expected to be many trades with top targets involved and under-the-radar guys for contending teams to go after. Advertisement On Sunday, the New York Post's MLB Insider Jon Heyman proposed a blockbuster five-player trade that would land the Cubs three players at the three positions of need. Heyman proposed the Pirates trade Keller, Bednar, and third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes to the Cubs for third baseman Matt Shaw and top outfield prospect Owen Caissie in return. At first glance, this trade proposal is loaded with talent. Keller might be the top starting pitching option on the market. Bednar is one of the top closer options available, and Hayes is still a young, developing player with elite defense at third base. However, to get a lot of talent, you must give some too. Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell (11) is interviewed in the dugout before the game against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park. Troy Taormina-Imagn ImagesTroy Taormina-Imagn Images Shaw was a former top prospect for the Cubs, but has struggled at the major league level. As for Caissie, the young prospect has had an impressive season in the minor leagues, batting .278 with a .961 OPS. He's hit 19 home runs and driven 42 guys in. Advertisement But, recently, he has caught fire. Caissie hit .316 with a 1.040 OPS in June and has hit .394 with a .1578 OPS in July. The Cubs' top outfield prospect has seven home runs, nine RBI, and six walks in eight games in July. "The Cubs are scouting the Pirates (as are most contenders). Keller will be one of the better starters available and Hayes is a great defender who needs a change of scenery," Heyman wrote (h/t The Sporting News). "The Pirates seek and need young guys who can hit." The trade would deliver a one-stop shop for everything the Cubs need at the deadline, but it would come at the cost of some of their top prospects. However, if the Cubs plan on getting a top-level starter, they might have to plan on shopping a top prospect regardless. Advertisement Another added advantage of this proposal for the Cubs is that none of the players involved are in the rental business. Keller signed a five-year, $77 million contract in 2024 and is under team control through 2028. Bednar has another year of arbitration in 2026, and Hayes is in the fourth year of an eight-year, $70 million contract with a club option in 2030. Who knows if this trade would ever be agreed to, but it would solve all the Cubs' problems and the Pirates would get a couple of young, talented prospects to build their future on. Related: Cubs Could Poach Yankees 31 Home Run Target, Per MLB Writer This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pirates come through late, snap skid with close win over Twins
This article originally appeared on The Pittsburgh Pirates salvaged a brutal road trip and snapped an eight-game losing streak by edging the Minnesota Twins 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at Target Field. Advertisement Tommy Pham whacked his fourth home run of the season to put the Pirates (39-58) up 1-0 in the second. Byron Buxton evened the score the following inning with an RBI double off Pirates starter Mitch Keller. The score remained tied until the top of the ninth inning, when Spencer Horwitz brought home a run with a sharp groundout to second while the bases were loaded with one. The Pirates loaded the bases on three-straight hits off Jhoan Durán (5-4). David Bednar converted his 13th save in as many tries in a scoreless ninth. Dennis Santana (3-2) was the winning pitcher after handling the eighth. Click here to read more from Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
