David Bednar trade might've been final straw for Ben Cherington's tenure with Pirates

Based on his performance in his last 39 Major League appearances following his early-season demotion to Triple-A, it's fair to say that David Bednar was one of the best closers in baseball leading up to Thursday's trade deadline.

No, it doesn't erase his horrendous 2024 season in which he posted a career-worst 5.77 ERA and seven blown saves in 62 appearances; but Bednar showed admirable perseverance in his quest to return to form, and he had the results to show for it.

Everyone saw it. Everyone, that is, except Ben Cherington.

The Pittsburgh Pirates' general manager fielded plenty of inquiries leading up to the trade deadline as teams around the league took note of Bednar's turnaround. As such, Bednar soon became the Pirates' most valuable trade asset – and their best opportunity to add offense at the deadline, helping to accomplish Cherington's stated goal of improving the team for 2026.

The Pirates followed through with a deal and sent Bednar to the New York Yankees for three prospects – not a single one of whom will make an impact that will improve the Pirates in 2026. Especially compared to the other top-tier closers who were shipped out in trades on Thursday – Ryan Helsley, Mason Miller and Jhoan Duran – it's clear that Cherington and the Pirates didn't get nearly enough value for a two-time All-Star closer with another year of team control remaining.

And not only that ... they DIDN'T EVEN INFORM BEDNAR! He found out about the trade via social media! Unbelievable!

David Bednar trade might've been the final straw for Ben Cherington's tenure with Pirates

Actually, to say that Cherington "didn't get enough value" for Bednar may be too generous. The trade was abysmal. Humiliating, even. So bad that the only way it conceivably make sense is if it was willful sabotage on Cherington's part.

The Pirates have looked into trading Bednar in the past, but the Pittsburgh native was a favorite of principal owner Bob Nutting – so much so that Nutting had reportedly intervened in past discussions of a potential move. But with the Pirates headed for yet another last-place finish in the National League Central division, perhaps Nutting realized he had no choice but to step aside and let Cherington and the front office explore their options.

Trusting Cherington to get fair value in a trade of Bednar – or anyone, really – was Nutting's biggest mistake. The Pirates are in year six under Cherington and still trading away valuable assets for low-level prospects who won't help the team for another several years – if at all. They are no closer to contending now than they were when Cherington took over; if anything, they may be farther away.

At this point, willful sabotage would be a best-case scenario for the atrocity that unfolded in Pittsburgh at this year's trade deadline. Maybe – hopefully – trading Bednar for an unfathomably poor return is Cherington's parting shot to Nutting as he is shown the door.

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