Pittsburgh Pirates: If David Bednar Is Traded, Who Is The Team’s Next Closer?

David Bednar could be traded during the deadline and if he is, what are the Pittsburgh Pirates’ next closing pitching options?

The Pittsburgh Pirates could end up trading David Bednar this trade deadline. The deadline is heating up, and many relievers have been moved for big hauls. The Chicago Cubs got a top 10 prospect from the New York Yankees for Scott Effross. The Milwaukee Brewers got a top 10 prospect and another top 30 prospect for Josh Hader, who was struggling and on a contract that expires after 2023. That package also included taking on the remains of Taylor Rogers and Dinelson Lamet’s contract.

Although I’m not too keen on the idea of trading Bednar, it’s a possibility that has to be considered. Bednar has been the Pittsburgh Pirates’ primary 9th inning option for most of the 2022 campaign. But if he is included in a trade, who is the Pirates’ next closer? Over the years the team has always done a good job of filling that spot in the bullpen.  However, there is no clear-cut option who has proven themselves a potential closer just yet.

So let’s take a look at some of the internal options that could be future backend of the bullpen-type arms.  These are some of the prospects who likely will be in this team’s bullpen in the near term future. This first prospect is a former starting pitcher turned successful reliever: