Pittsburgh Pirates: Three Veterans Who Could be Traded by 2023

Right-Handed Relief Pitcher, David Bednar

The Pittsburgh Pirates consistently have had some of the better 9th-inning guys over the last decade.  The team also always moved on from the closers, getting value back for a one-inning pitcher.  They did this with Joel Hanrahan, Mark Melancon, Tony Watson, and Richard Rodriguez.

Could the Pittsburgh Pirates look to trade closer David Bednar?  I honestly think he could have been traded at the 2022 Trade Deadline had he not been sidelined with an injury.  Teams are always looking for cheap, but effective bullpen arms and Bednar represents a good one.

Bednar was a National League All-Star this past season and got a chance to pitch in the game.  Quickly after that, rumors started to swirl of teams being interested in acquiring him.  It made sense with the year he was having.

Bednar pitched to a 2.65 ERA across 51.2 innings pitcher.  In his 45 appearances, he struck out 69 hitters. This was impressive given the fact that he was not 100% healthy for most of the second half of the season.

Trading Bednar would likely bring back a huge package.  Teams are always willing to get up serious prospect talent if it means locking down the backend of their bullpen.  Bednar will not be a free agent until after the 2026 season.  However, relievers are highly volatile and in my opinion, they should be traded away when having top value.  Bednar has that value and honestly what value is a good closer on a team that will not be truly competing?