The Yankees have added one the biggest prizes of the relief market to their bullpen, acquiring David Bednar from the Pirates for catching prospect Rafael Flores, minor league catcher Edgleen Perez, and minor league outfielder Brian Sanchez.
Bednar, 30, has been a staple of the Pirates’ bullpen for five years. The hard-throwing 6’1″ righty is making $5.9MM this season and is under club control for one more year. He’s owed about $1.87MM of that sum for the balance of the season, though the Yankees will have to pay a 110% luxury tax on him, making the total financial outlay closer to $3.9MM.
Yankees relievers have been mediocre on the season overall, sitting 21st in the majors with a 4.24 ERA. However, they’ve been the second-worst group in baseball over the past month, recording a 6.29 ERA that’s worst in the American League and leads only the Rockies among all 30 teams. Struggles from Devin Williams and Luke Weaver have played a significant role, and the Yankees have also been without Fernando Cruz and Mark Leiter Jr. in that time. Cruz has an oblique strain, and Leiter has a stress fracture in his fibula.
Bednar, a two-time All-Star, will provide some much-needed support. Although he struggled through a brutal 2024 season and had a rough start to his 2025 campaign, those hardships feel like a distant memory. The Bucs optioned him to Triple-A in late March, and Bednar has been an absolute behemoth since returning. In 37 frames, he’s posted a dazzling 1.70 ERA with a 34.5% strikeout rate and 5.5% walk rate. It’s some of the best work of Bednar’s career — even better than what had been a 2021-23 peak that saw him post a combined 2.25 ERA, 31.2% strikeout rate and 7.7% walk rate.
Bednar is averaging 97.1 mph on his heater this season. His curveball, the righty’s go-to secondary pitch, is sitting nearly 20 mph slower. Bednar also features a splitter that’s averaging 92.3 mph this year. He’s used that arsenal to induce chases off the plate at an excellent 34.4% clip and garnered a 12.7% swinging-strike rate as well. Left-handed opponents, in particular, have been flummoxed by Bednar. They’re hitting just .162/.240/.276 against him. His mastery over lefties is all the more important, given Yankee Stadium’s short right-field porch.
That Bednar is controllable for an additional season surely holds extra appeal for the Yankees, given that both Weaver and Williams are both set to reach free agency at season’s end. Bednar can pitch in any high-leverage role necessary in 2025 and could step into the ninth inning for the 2026 season, depending on whether Williams and/or Weaver are retained. After striking the deal for Bednar, the Yankees further augmented their bullpen by acquiring Camilo Doval from the Giants and Jake Bird from the Rockies.
Flores, 24, is the big get for the Pirates in return. He ranked eighth among Yankees prospects on Baseball America’s recent update on their system. He opened the season at the Double-A level and ripped through opposing pitchers at a .287/.346/.496 clip (146 wRC+) before being recently promoted to Triple-A. He’s hitting just .211/.288/.289 there, but that’s in a tiny sample of 49 plate appearances. Overall, Flores is hitting .279/.351/.475 between the two levels. He’s never had a below-average year offensively in the minors.
Flores has already popped 16 homers on the season, leaving him just five shy of his career-high mark. He’s listed at 6’4″ and 230 pounds, making him on the larger end for a catcher. He’s viewed as more of a bat-first option whose calling card is raw power, and Flores has accordingly spent a fair bit of time at first base as well.
The Pirates have been searching for a catcher of the future for what feels like an eternity. They selected Henry Davis with the No. 1 pick in the 2021 draft and acquired both Endy Rodriguez and Joey Bart via trade in recent years. They’ve also cycled through veterans like Jacob Stallings, Elias Diaz and several other journeymen over the course of the past five to six years. Despite the sizable investment and cast of rotating characters, none have managed to stick.
It’s a similar situation at first base. Neither Davis nor Rodriguez has staked a claim to the position. Pittsburgh acquired Spencer Horwitz over the winter in hopes that he could hold the position down for years to come. It’s too early to firmly pass judgment on that acquisition, particularly after Horwitz missed the first few months of the season due to wrist surgery, but his .252/.323/.359 batting line through his first 229 plate appearances surely isn’t what the Pirates had hoped to see. Flores adds another possible option to the mix in the long term, though the Bucs will hope that he can handle catching work while Horwitz improves his production at first base.
The other two players in the swap are further from big league readiness. Perez, 19, has spent the season with the Yankee’s Class-A affiliate. He’s turned in a disappointing .209/.368/.236 batting line in 380 trips to the plate. He’s a considered a solid defensive catcher and still ranked 16th among Yankee prospects at BA despite his struggles this year, due in large part to his glove and his exceptional pitch recognition. As Baseball America points out in their scouting report, he chased off the plate than any player in the minors last year (just 7.7%). Perez walked in nearly 21% of his plate appearances last season and is at 17.9% in 2025.
If Perez can begin to hit the ball with more authority as he fills out physically, he has the potential to be an OBP-focused hitter who can stick behind the plate. He has below-average power, but players with this type of discipline and swing decisions can still be impactful, particularly if they’re playing serviceable defense behind the plate.
Sanchez, 21, ranked 24th on BA’s update of the Yankees’ system. He’s having a nice season in A-ball, hitting .281/.373/.438 with four home runs, 16 doubles, five triples and 24 steals (in 28 attempts). He’s drawn a walk in 12.6% of his plate appearances against a 23.4% strikeout rate. He’s an above-average runner who’s capable of handling center field and could likely be above-average in the corners.
None of the three players acquired by the Pirates are on the 40-man roster, though they’ll need to add Flores to the 40-man before mid-November in order to protect him from this year’s Rule 5 Draft. Neither Perez nor Sanchez needs to be protected until the 2027-28 offseason. Adding a near-MLB-ready catcher/first baseman and a pair of mid-range prospects from the Yankees’ system is a fine return in and of itself, though there’ll surely be a contingent of Pirates fans frustrated by the team’s repeated inability to secure long-term options at these positions — and that said inability has led them to expend another high-end trade chip in an effort to do so.
This post was originally published at 1:50pm.
First?
I doubt it.
Trade? No
No.
Let’s hope it’s a good return
More importantly, they shed payroll
Exciting
Yankees 14th best prospect and cash considerations.
Wow, you really are the prototypical Yankees fan…
The Yankees really don’t value the catcher position. They basically gave away Narvaez to the Red Sox earlier this year and they are now dealing a really solid, offensive catching prospect in Flores too. I bet they are trading another notable prospect as well in this deal too.
Hopefully, Bednar can handle the pressure in the Bronx. He was quite sensitive to the boos he received in Pittsburgh when he wasn’t pitching well for them.
It’s easy for you to second guess but gms cant. navrarrez was never supposed to be anything special.
Wells and rice are fine at catcher. And you’re complaining about giving up an unknown prospect for one of the best relievers in the game.
Not really any other notable prospect in the trade.
And it’s not that the Yankees don’t value catcher; they have just been churning them out and using them in trades to strengthen other parts of the team. In the Narvaez trade, they got a high upside pitcher in Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz who is their 6th best prospect currently.
Narvaez is a great defender but he wouldn’t be hitting like this at YS at all, plus he was blocked at catcher regardless. He greatly benefits from the Green Monster due to his pulled fly ball tendencies. .314/.389/.540 at home (147 wrc+) and .205/.268/.318 (64 wrc+) on the road.
Nice post straight from an AI bot lol
He’s a great defender but was completely blocked. He also wouldn’t be hitting nearly as well at Yankee Stadium: 147 wrc+ at Fenway and just 64 wrc+ on the road. The Green Monster is turning his pulled fly balls into hits instead of outs.
Are you talking to me? Because that was in no way AI but I’m flattered you think so.
Rice is a horrible defender at the C position.
If they didn’t value catching prospects then why develop so.many? They have three catchers in.the Majors. Should they prospect hug when the MLB team needs various parts? The name of the Game is NOT TO COLLECT MINOR LEAGUE TALENT!!! The best talent you bring up. You trade excess players when you need to. I see that you are new to the game. Sit back and learn. Your appreciation for the game will grow with time.
As I said earlier the pirates will get nothing…and like it! Ahahahahahaha!
Flores is a nice get for a rental. Good deal for both teams.
MiLB had Flores as the yanks 8th best.
MiLB doesn’t know Jack..or for that matter Rafael either. Ahahahahaha!
It better be to trade a sure thing who loves being a pirate and when pirates plan to contend in 2026..
The Pirates don’t ever plan to contend. EVER!! Ahahahahahahahaha!
Oh no. They plan. They just suck at it
I can assure you they are run as nothing but an investment vehicle for Bob Nutting. Any winning or being competitive is a happy accident.
So can someone explain how the Pirates would be trying to compete when they’re openly saying a team, in division of a similar market size, can have Hayes and the Pirates biggest concern is not the return but that Bob no longer has to pay out that contract.
Hayes 500 something ops. Got a no doubt ss. Huge win. I’d trade Hayes if I was leading division for that return.
So Skenes goes 9 every five days. No sweat.
Rafael Flores and 2 other prospects. Seems pretty good
If Flores is headliner this is a F for Flores Failure Fire Williams Cherington unfortunately can’t fire Nutting
Flores, a catcher who was just promoted to AAA and 2 other players from the Yankees
Forever coping for wasting a 1st overall pick on Davis
@goku
‘Wasting’ that pick gave them the availability to save slot $ and overdraft on Chandler, Lonnie White, and Solomento. It seems like it could still work, even though Davis hasn’t.
@hotta
No one expected Chandler to be this good. They could’ve still gotten him and done without White and Solometo
Passed on Jackson Jobe, Jack Leiter and Andrew Painter for Davis
I did.
Hey now would you look at that TheMan 3 it wasnt Jones, Lombard, or Jasson Dominguez for Bednar
Nobody who actually understands trade valuation and has been paying attention to the reliever valuations in preceding trades ever thought it was gonna be any of those guys lol.
Half the thread from the previous article was convinced Jones was the starting point, that guy included
Nope lol
If I were a Yankee fan, I’d be pretty happy with that return. Not so much if I were a Pirate fan. But the Pirate fans can still rejoice, they won the CIN trade yesterday by unloading that contract.
Yea we’re so glad Nutting saved money
Gives him a chance to spend it on a better player….keep your fingers crosses. That’s what we Reds fans do every year, just to see us release our big FA signees – Moose/Candy/ETC.
We spent 100m when we were good with Gerrit Cole, Cutch, Marte, etc…
We have the pitching staff and Bob Nutting doesn’t even care about baseball he’s strictly a business man!
I’d be happy to run our organization like the Brewer who are the same sized market as us!
@Mike, just sit back and laugh when the Reds release Hayes in 18 months after failing to OPS .600.
With Hayes money we can get two Tommy Phams!
I’ll give you Will Benson if you send some of Hayes salary our way. The Reds FO is just as bad.
Be thankful they didn’t spend. You would have Profar Conforto Santander
Cherington is fleeced again by the Yankees.
These young players may be decent prospects but one is in AA and the others in A.
And the Pirates want to have a competitive team next year?
I am surprised that Nutting let this happen.
Cherington really has to go now as the six year rebuild begs another six year rebuild.
You’re surprised Nutting let this happen? I’m not! He doesn’t give a crap about anything other than the bottom line! He has saved for 10 years and could easily put money into this team!
Salary floor please
That was the goal of the 6 year plan, to lay the groundwork for a 6 year plan, which will lay the groundwork for a 6 year plan, which …
Not fleeced. Fair trade got off fairly cheap.
One would think Cherington is back letting him sell all these players. It’s his team for years to come no matter who you hire.
Not fleeced but quality over quantity would’ve been preferred! Also don’t say you want to make the team better next season and get lower level prospects!
It’s an endless rebuild! We have a pitching staff that could compete next season. Need a better lineup and Cherington isn’t the GM to fill those needs.
Very meh. Not many fans like it. Do any?
Second
Should have been Miller.
Would take Lombard for Miller. Bednar shouldn’t take that if so they should have went Miller or Duran.
Third
I imagine he’ll close over Devin Williams, right?
Yes
Better and more reliable so I’d go with him.
Nah he’ll have to force his way in. We care deeply about hurt feelings here. :/
You are right about caring for hurt feelings there. Jeter stayed at shortstop when A.R. arrived.
Not to start
Would be weird if he doesn’t. He has a 2.37 ERA while Williams has one in the 5’s.
Thankfully MLB teams use more than just ERA to evaluate players and make decisions.
Thankfully they know that someone having a season with an ERA of over twice as much as the new pitcher in a similar decent size amount of innings is clearly having a worse year and that impacts their decision decidedly in the selecting of the closer.
There’s no way he should close over Devin. People forget just how shaky Bednar has been over the last two seasons.
He should definitely close over Devin Williams. When Williams has no command of his changeup, which happens way too often, hitters are sitting on his fastball.
I wouldn’t think their numbers are that different since the start off may, both had bad aprils. But the important aspect of bednar’s game is he’s a high strikeout fastball slider guy, since our other 2 back end guys are fastball change he’s a nice change of pace. Also without our 2 splitter guys, leiter and cruz, we’ve been missing a fireman to come in with 2 on 1 out. I think bednar is best suited for that role
He’s given up 1 earned run since May 23rd… Bednar is super soft and ZERO chance he handles the NY media but he isn’t shaky.
Hank-And you are saying that someone with an ERA of over 5 is not having a shaky season?
Personally I dont think he does. He might be better atm and Devin hasn’t very recently, but overall I do think Williams is a better closer. Bednar has even more severe bouts of severe suckitude.
Williams has had his velocity decrease and nobody is swinging at his changeups because they’re rarely strikes.
Williams just hasn’t looked like himself all season. Weaver should be trusted more at this time.
Yankees ? That’s not how you spell TIGERS !
OR CUBS
Hope the Cubs get Dennis Santana and Anthony Bednar.
I’m sure Anthony is available….you should put out an invitation….
The Tigers better be getting an upgrade for the rotation and/or lineup and hope two of the bullpen arms they got work out.
Was never the plan. Get 3 stud SP’s before I buy into WS contenders. Current top 3 not good enough. ‘26 & ‘27 is when they are legitimate.
How does any team trade for 3 stud SP? If your team needs 3 stud SP you aren’t a contender
I don’t know who the Pirates are getting but I’m sure they will come out on the short end.
I love being a Pirates fan.
Not so sure. I’m thinking one of the returns will be Cam Schlittler. If it is, that’s going to be a great return for Bednar. I could be wrong, I usually am.
Ok, no Spencer Jones for Alcantara and Cabrera, right?
Alcantara and Cabrera? No chance. Jones alone probably doesn’t get you Cabrera, much less Alcantara on top of it.
No shot
I remember the days when the Yankees dominated the deadline and Hot Stove discussions…not fondly but with a certain wistful regard.
Clip I very much doubt it’s schlittler tho obviously that remains to be seen. Usually the headliner is announced first. And cam would very much be the headliner over flores.
Yeah, you’re right. It’s not Cam. They hadn’t announced any return players when I posted that, but Flores may even be a better return for the Pirates than Schlittler.
Ok gotcha. This one’s been updating fast. Tbh I would have been very puzzled had it been schlittler. Wouldn’t have made much sense for either side given their areas of depth/need. Now let’s see if the bucs can develop an offensive prospect for a change lol.
I can’t imagine we move schlittler. He’s at worst our #6 starter with not much behind him in the org. That’s also counting on stroman being decent and Gil being effective and healthy. Schlittler won’t go in any deal that a starter isn’t coming back
Fully agree that the only scenario in which it makes sense to deal schlittler is if it’s for a significant sp upgrade. Like an Edward Cabrera for example though I’d have a bit of apprehension about his track record and injury history.
Hatless- I wouldn’t bet on it.
Yankee-You were wrong because you do not know how bad Cherington is from past experience with him.
Probably Rafael Flores. The next Gary Sanchez.
Amen, hope its not Cashman’s last move today
I’m just glad they made a move. I was starting to think Austin Wells was in charge of remembering how many days were left for the deadline.
Agreed! I love Hill, but don’t want him to be the left-hander in the pen.
I’m proud of Cashman. He has a deal done for a piece we need. So far, he’s done pretty well filling needs with getting McMahon and Bednar. Got a little ways to go, but I’d say a….. B rating?
Cashman’s overall body of work leaves a lot to be desired but his off-season pivot after losing out on Soto (bullet dodged I think) and the trade deadline has been pretty solid. Other than bad luck on pitching injuries, it’s been the failures of home grown players and not the recent acquisitions that’s been the problem.
It’s been fun Bednar. Pour up an Iron City and go lose a playoff series like the Yankees always do pal you deserve it!
Trading Bednar long overdue.
Walk the plank, matey!
Losing teams do not need a 7 million dollar closer. Bucs have plenty of closer potential in the young arms in the pen.
You’ve made your Bednar NYY. Now you gotta lie in it begrudgingly comfortably.
Please be huge please be huge
This return better be good. I still do not have faith in BC making a good deal.
Flores is a really good acquisition. Watch Yankees Farm on Flores and you’ll see why….
I don’t know anything about the other 2 prospects mlb1225 but scouts have been saying good things about Flores.
The problem is that the Pirates do not develop their young position players and even though these three seem like decent prospects none are near ML ready and as such may very well never make good ML players with the Pirates organization.
Mendoza, Flores is thought to be about ready but the other two are a ways away.
They can certainly use a good catcher and I will be happy if he comes up later next year and does well.
But Henry Davis had to go on his own to become a good catcher.The organization did not help him.
Maybe we can loan Flores to the Yankees AAA team for a year for further advancement.
Knowing Cashman he’ll over pay so Pittsburgh fans get ready.
Knowing Cherington, he’ll insist the Yankees underpay so dont be worried.
He really HAS to overpay because Bednar is the last of the four major closers left. I’m okay with it though because Yanks desperately need a closer.
And he underpaid. Bad fielding catcher for an elite closer.
Seemed the interested parties remaining were the Yankees and Tigers, and Harris had left the building.
Skenes also????
Haha! If only!!!!
Skenes also lol…you must party with Mike the pillow guy
Skenes to the Jays…
Pereza is gonna love PNC park!
I’d actually be really happy for him if that’s the case. With Hayes traded he could get a more extended look in an atmosphere with less pressure. Good guess on your part.
Nice, Cashman pulled the trigger this time. Time to see what he gave up
Great pickup for the Yankees
The pirates have long been a minor league farm team for the Yanks.
Williams, Weaver, Bednar is a gnarly back end of the bullpen. And considering the Yankees defensive issues, getting more K’s has special appeal.
This move doesn’t fix the mess the Yankees have at shortstop.
Hey, he’s “ELITE!”
Only in the mind of cashman and his merry band of nerds.
Williams was a ELITE
I live in Pittsburgh. I could smell the smoke from the fire sale.
Pirates continuing to be a minor league affiliate of the big market clubs.
Welcome to da Bronx, kid. Joes on 187th already has a meatball hero submarine sandwich named after you. It’s the BEST.
Fuhhhgettaboutit.
Are you fu**in kiddin me? Are you serious?
Not Spencer Jones
Pittsburgh didn’t want Escarra instead??
I wonder if including Santana along with Bednar would have gotten Spencer Jones, or at least started the talks on getting Jones.
Hopefully Escarra, Peirra, and or 1-2 B grade pitching prospects
Hope he doesn’t mind a first round exit.
Better than being the joke of the league every year playing for the Pirates
You have to make it to the first round, before thinking about exiting…
No known experience pitching in pressure games.
Rafael Flores is included
Oof, if it’s schlitty we need to go get an starter. Counting on stroman every 5 days is a fool’s game. Also Gil is finally back and we hope he’s himself but obviously that’s just hope.
Will Bednar be closer or Williams?
Ah so it’s flores, that’s cool, i fogured they want position players over pitchers especially if they are keeping keller. Wonder if one of the others is riggio or Rodriguez
Now all the people crying about Cashman not getting a reliever can cry about him trading too much for Bednar.
Someone finally gets us!!!!
A catcher? They have Davis Bart and Rodriguez JFC
You’ve not named anyone who can hit haha
Bart can hit and get on base, just not much power. Catchers really don’t need to hit too much. Batting .220 with some pop is just fine.
Most mlb catchers can’t hit if you haven’t noticed
Davis still can’t hit major league pitching with any consistency, Bart lost his power somehow and Endy is on the IL
JFC
Being a D’Back fan, happy to see any team but the Dodgers get him. Thanks Yankees!
You’re welcome, maybe you can stop pretending the Dodgers are “ruining baseball”?
I will wait for other 2 prospects before saying – How is Cherington still here for this deadline?
Mike-Because Nutting is still here for the deadline.
The hyperlink for Flores’ BR page appears to be a different player for the Jays.
Jokes on the Pirates! They kidnapped some kid with the same name from the Jay’s system, and that’s who they are actually getting!
Maybe for the rest of the afternoon we won’t be plagued with WHERE WAS CASHMAN comments in every article…
In all honesty, this article didn’t address where Cashman was…. So WHERE IS HE (ominous music….)?!
Cashman, the imbecile, overpaid as always.
Flores is his top catching prospect. A future MLB starter, who would have been ready to take over for the overhyped Wells as early as next year.
And tell me the last time Bednar pitched on a high pressure playoff game?? B
You said it…..
And if Cashman didn’t do anything you’d be crying that he was asleep…
By all accounts he’s MLB-ready now. Also, he’s probably better than Austin Wells. I’m just glad Cashman got something we need. He was going to overpay no matter who he acquired this deadline.
It’s why his practice of filling needs at the deadline always results in overpays, or underachievement. Eventually he should learn to fill needs in the offseason instead of being backed into a corner at the deadline.
Ca$h learn? Dont be silly! Still living on Stick’s cild back.
@YC
I seem to remember D Williams being added in the off season. This was addressed. Yankee fans were ecstatic at the move. It just didn’t work out. If he had signed Bednar, after his horrible season, Yankee fans would have been furious. Only a Yankee fan would think this was an overpay, considering what other closers cost at this deadline. Cherington got fleeced.
LOL
Every time a closer comes into a game it’s high pressure. What a moronic comment
Sorry to see Bednar go. Hometown kid. Bulldog. Hope he excels for the Yanks
Old-We will have to wait six more years for the rebuild.
Falter just traded to KC for two more minor leaguers
Falter trade makes Bednar trade look good. Yikes. Bednar at least got a back up catcher with power and Endy Rodriguez 2.0.
Old- Fortunately the trade deadline is a real deadline and Cherington can do no more damage.
Mendoza, I agree with Mackey in today’s PG
The incompetence Cherington has demonstrated is like nothing I’ve ever seen at the professional level. These trades exemplify it
How do you keep IKF, Pham and Heaney when their contracts will expire but trade what he did—-for mostly A prospects? He worsened this awful team
Outrageous
If you wanted to run a franchise into the ground, this is the blueprint
I bet they send flores to Indianapolis instead of the major league roster. I hope not..bit that would be a typical pirate move.
Good trade so far, let’s see who else they get
Loaisiga to inning 6th. Williams 7th. Weaver 8th and Bednar closer. Aaaaaaaaaa Yankees wiiiiin,,John Sterling versión
A testament to Cashman’s awfulness. But I digress…
The Pirates should have offered Bednar and Brian Reynolds for Devries
Not bad. Makes me wonder if Bart is on his way out in another deal.
Ok good. We have in theory a closer for next year and a deeper pen this year.
Everybody knows.I still wanted houdini back in New york. only money no prospects
Prospects are worse than money. If they fail you have nothing. Trade as many prospects as you need.
Also Bednar is better.
8th and 14th prospect with one more to be announced
The Pirates actually turned down Max Clark from the Tigers for this guy?
Where are you seeing that the Tigers offered him?
Yeah, right. I heard it was Clark and McGonigle!
Stearns is sleeping today. I want more relievers.
Fire Cherington now.
Get him out of the room right now.
Bednar isn’t Millwr but Miller and a back end starter brought back the #3 overall prospect, the padres #3 prospect and 2 other pieces.
Bednar brings #8 prospect, and two fillers.
It is like he chose the yankees and just shoehorned this deal in.
Good lord this is bad.
Good lord, comparing the return for a RP with 1 year of control left to the return for one with 4 years of control left (and of superior perceived quality) makes zero sense.
3+ years of Mason Miller and 3+ years of JP Sears is worth much more than 1+ year of David Bednar.
I understand they’re both closers, but it’s not a great trade comparison.
I didnt think I had to clarify this after I said Miller was better I thought that would cover it.
The control and youth obvious go to Miller also.
I was not expecting a top 10 prospect for Bednar in this deal, I had thought that after Cherington went for quality over quantity for the Hayes deal he would do it here too.
I was mistaken. The tigers matched up much better for a trade if Jones wasnt available. No reason the Pirates couldn’t have sweetened the deal with Santana to get a better package.
The return here is poor.
I agree. The pirates seem to be horrible at player development so they should be going quality over quantity. They should have been trying to get the best guy available regardless of position. I thought they were looking for mlb ready type guys.
Miller has 3 more years of control. Bednar is only through next year and then becomes a free agent. HUGE difference. Bednar is nothing special. He prob won’t be able to handle the pressure in NY as well. The pirates can win 65 games with or without him.
Stearns is fast asleep cos his ballclub LOL’d a series in San Diego AND traded for relievers rather than hitters.
So Pirates want to be better in 26 yet trade for 3 far away prospects with zero power. Please make it make sense??? This seems very stupid.
Flores will be ready for ’26 sounds like. I like this return.
So I think I seen the wrong link. The catcher is mlb ready. It shown someone different before
The Yankees trade from an area of depth and upgrade their biggest weakness. Fantastic trade by them for the present and should be a good deal for the Pirates future as well
Also weak at first and second….
What?
Thought they wanted a top 5 prospect? The heck is this?
Sounds like Jones wasn’t being had so he went for the next highest Yankees prospect that wasn’t a pitcher. Sort of wish Riggio was included as well but not an awful return I think.
Everyone reported this. Cherington will say are internal metrics had both these catchers in top 5!
This is far from the astronomical price that was rumored for Bednar. If this is all they got for him, then there are a lot of other teams that could have and should have ponied up more for Bednar, including my Tigers. Didn’t take any of the Yankees top 5 prospects and the Tigers have a much better and deeper system than the Yankees. So they should have and could have come up with a better package for Bednar without touching their top 5 prospects.
Yeah I am pretty disappointed in this.
Yankees were the only ones left at the table when Harris walked away. Yankees probably reduced their offer at that point. Take it or leave it.
Teams that traded for rental should have deep regrets.
My theory Nutting seen what happened with prospects in Bednar trade he shut down years ago and let Cherington did his thing. You can dream pretty big on Perez. Some teams get real thirsty for catchers and he got 2 of them.
Falter to KC for two farm hands.
MLBTR yet to pick up on it
A mlb ready farmhand reliever! And a now power 1b i believe it was.
Wow, only 1 top 10 prospect from the Yankees’ system. Ben, what are we doing here?
Considering the costs of closers, this is a horrible return. The third piece is not even a prospect of note. Hell, even the 2nd piece is a 19 year old dart throw. Flores is a solid hitter, but goodness what a terrible return in a market where relievers were at a premium. Ben Cherrington simply does not have the skills to make proper moves. He should be gone, but Nutting will just hire someone as incompetent.
Perez is the headliner more value than Flores. Flores is nice piece as well. More quantity and catcher priority trade. It’s fair. Just not what fans wanted after hearing helps us in 2026 top 5
I honestly don’t even think this was a salary dump move. I truly believe that Cherington has deluded himself into thinking he got a great deal.
It may be close to a very good deal if the Pirates had a system that could develop position players.
Cherington though does the same stupid thing over and over with the same stupid result.
As a Yankee fan I can tell you that Flores has been undervalued in prospect analysis all season. Think of him almost like a right handed Ben Rice. Edgleen Perez should also shoot up prospect lists in the coming years
not the worst deal for the pirates but not very good either, assuming it is “just” Flores, Perez and Sanchez. At that return I probably would’ve just kept Bednar.
Yeah this is an underwhelming return…
So much for Cherington saying that trades would improve the team for this year and beyond
He got burned yet again and hopefully Nutting kicks him to the curb after the season ends
Wouldnt even need to trade for a catcher but Ben whiffed on Davis. When does this BS end?
They do. He has deeper farm system for depth and trades.
he might make a good comedian after hes fired
Why did Atkins give up more for maybe 1 month of someone who has missed the last 2 years?
Isn’t Atkins in his last year of contract?
Shapiro is, Atkins has 1 more I think…which makes his trade make less sense.
Agreed….Atkins must be hanging around all the rehabs…
Is Cherington trying to get a job with the Yankees? He can’t be this incompetent.
If there was ever a time for Bob Nutting to step in.
Nutting would have approved this trade so Nutting approved
another deal that should make mets embarrased
they traded away half their farm for 3 set up guys with expiring contracts
phils, yanks got elite closers with control beyond 2025, only gave up a bunch of teenagers
Not sure Bednar will like closing in NY and not sure Williams will like being demoted in his walk year.
He’s been demoted before, was accountable for it, and did well in middle relief.
Bednar is a professional and will do his job. Fans will love him.
Come on Joe….Williams has no choice in the matter as he’s been very hittable and blown what 5 games….he won’t be resigned and this is one of Cash’;s not very good trades so he’ll have no choice as to agree to whatever role Boone assigns him to for the rest of the season and into the playoffs…..
Williams had costed the Yankees five games in the wins column. No hyperbole. There’s only so much they can do to ride Tim Hill to clean up his messes.
Not sure what people think the Pirates options were. The Tigers were never going to let go of one of their top five for one reliever. The only other legitimate options outside of NY were the Rangers (who would not part with Walcott and Moore would have no chance of coming up in late ’26). Who am I missing? If no one else, then we essentially had to go with NYY or wait until the offseason. Maybe that would’ve been the best approach but I’m still not completely dissatisfied with this return.
the other option would be to hold onto Bednar until the winter meetings and find a better deal
Oh are you coping now lol They wouldnt have found a better deal at the winter meetings. Teams are desperate now and Bednar would have even less of a contract to control him. Wompwomp you thought you were getting Jones
womp womp you’re an immature little boy
Aww someones mad he was wrong on MLBTR. Cheer up lil buddy you got a good return for a RP
Even if it was it will not help the Pirates for a number of years.
Yeah thats how trading for prospects works
The Yankees system is weak. Would really like to know what BC was asking from the Tigers in comparison.
I would be shocked if it wasn’t McGonigle or Clark and based on how little the Tigers did at the deadline, it doesn’t sound like they were at all interested in moving either of them for any package.
I am frustrated as a Pirates fan but I also would be frustrated as a Tigers fan at this because they could have greatly improved their chances in the postseason but they held on without taking any risks and that will likely not fly in a league that now has some truly stacked teams (Mariners and Yankees will fight it out in the ALCS if they can get past the Astros and Blue Jays).
And the Bombers are looking to get Alcantara from Miami before the “transfer window” closes.
SMH, surely they could have received Everson Pereira an OF prospect
Heck Dominguez for Bednar was a fair deal
A++++++ for Yankees. Other teams gave up similar value for rentals.
C Pirates. I like Perez ceiling and prefer him over Fortes. I’m not a catching expert but according to reports Perez good catcher Fortes not so much. Like the potential in Perez bat. Seen how Endy has done so far so though so you don’t know. I don’t know much about the outfielder so maybe he is a diamond. Has raw power is all i know.
Perez is a great catching prospect you can dream of the ceiling. Just so young and far away. Trust your scouts and development team!
Disagree on the Pirates/Cherington’s grade. A long time ago when I was in school back in western Pa, the school district used the grades A, B, C, D, E, and D1. D1 was given to students who tried to the best of their abilities but could not and would not master the material enough to get even a D, so move them along. Cherington’s grade on this trade is a D1.
Skeptical- I grew up in western Pa many many years ago but never saw a D1 school.
I sense that kids basically automatically pass now even if they are clueless.
D1 basically gives credit for trying but signifies that they would have flunked.
I can understand that it may be a good concept.
Why trust them? The team is terrible and so is player development.
I give the Pirates an A+ on the Hayes trade. This one, not so sure.
Guess we’ll have to wait until Griffin gets here before we see a legitimate outfielder
This is C- just on talent. Fair return. But with the compete in 2026 hometown community work leader guy it’s a D. Probably just keep him. Could get similar return next years deadline.
KG looking to stick at SS so outfield help might need to wait. Move him or another of the 2 SS to outfield although KG probably only outfield worthy bat unless they can play CF.
Ben Cherington deserves to be canned. Complete moron for doing this. No talent comes back that helps for at least two years. Quantity over quality. Nothing good. Typical. Bednar should have gotten a top 100 prospect if you were paying attention to the returns of worse relievers.
On to to a starter.
Cherington is a clown. No baseball fan can look at this trade and think the Pirates got a good return for a proven closer. Granted he has had some up and downs, but a AA/AAA 24 yr old catcher & 2 guys in rookie ball barely hitting .200? Come on Ben, you said a week ago you were looking for players to help in ‘26. You need to get major league ready bats in AA or AAA that are close to being ready. Don’t trade guys for 💩. Nutting, sell the damn team already and fire Cherington tomorrow. No idea why this excuse for a general manager has been allowed to run the MLB draft and trade guys at the deadline. Bottom line is all they care about is their bottom line.
unless Ben pulls a rabbi out his hat, in 5 minutes, IKF and Pham will play out the season in Pittsburgh
Cherington doesn’t deserve to be the GM, he deserves to be on the unemployed line
yes 17 saves in 17 opportunities including an era of 2.37 with 51 k as in 43 innings is your definition of sucking
And the Cardinals blow
Glad the yankees finally acquired a strong reliever, our bullpen has struggled a bit lately. Speculate: who will the yankees DFA/demote to make room for Bednar and Jake Bird?
The Pirates have immediately started teaching their new acquisitions how to count to 3 outs.
Bednar having a good year will make his arbitration number go up to where Nutting would not want to pay. Another salary dump.
With trading Hayes and bednar the pirates save 20 million next year. I bet instead of signing a corner outfielder and a first base man,he uses the money to buy ANALytic computer discs
actually, Ben used money that Nutting gave him to sign free agents last winter but Ben used that money instead on analyticsl equipment
Yay. Deadline over. We can go to Bed nar.
Another horrible trade for the worst front office in baseball. Cherington is an idiot.
Ben Cherington is a dunce
Sad return considering what other teams are getting for middle inning relievers.
Not to defend Cherington (who’s no Huntingdon) but teams do NOT make good offers to the Pirates.
Ever.
There is never ANY threat that the Pirates will keep and (thus) PAY their players, so teams know they can all collude and dangle weak offers and one of them will win big.
Got to figure Ben’s gone! Thought we where going after bats ? Really? Pain stupid.
Why do teams make deals with the yankees? If I’m a GM of another team, I want to see them stink.
They will pretty much do that without any assistance. In summary, they have picked up 8 players and traded away 18. Only time will tell if that was good or bad trading.
Real mature comment…..teams trade with the Yankees because their minor league players, while many not superstars, are all over the Major leagues as viable major league players…..the Yankees do a good job of preparing them for major league play…….and the 18 players they had to trade to get the 8 is indicative of exactly that…..teams want Yankee minor leaguers……
Bye bye Brubaker and Headrick. Thank you for your service!
Tigers really wanted him for some reason, me, not a fan. The Tigers most likely had a better deal on the table but Pirates tried to squeeze more out of them. Good on Harris for not having and pivoting to other options.
Another horrible trade by Cherington at the direction of Bob Nutting. Pirates could have filled a hole at short or outfield for next year and failed to do it. Two trades of controllable players will nothing to show.