Ex-MLB GM's David Bednar trade idea would be end of Ben Cherington's Pirates tenure

As the Pirates continue to fall further and further behind .500, a lot of ideas are floating around with how far Pittsburgh will go with their fire sale. All the rentals will likely be dealt, but there is not a clear future for guys like David Bednar.

Former GM Jim Bowden suggested they deal Bednar to the Tigers, but if Ben Cherington listens, it would be a deal that would get him fired.

Bowden suggested that the Pirates trade Bednar in a one-for-one deal for 17-year-old outfielder Cris Rodriguez. The Tigers signed the young prospect out of the Dominican Republic last winter for their largest international bonus in franchise history. The money it took for them to sign him shows the significance in his value, but he resides in the Dominican Scout League.

With where the Pirates are at, trading away a two-time All-Star for a player in the Dominican Scout League would be a complete waste of the value that Bednar possesses. No matter how much upside Rodriguez has, getting him in this state of the rebuild would just set the Pirates back even further.

Jim Bowden's suggested trade with the Pirates' David Bednar would get Ben Cherington fired

Cherington obviously has financial constraints with how he can field players for the roster, but after six years and zero winning seasons, the prospect hunt should be over. Maybe in 2021 this trade would make sense in the rebuild, but not now. Cherington is already on the hot seat as the offense is one of the worst in baseball and there is not much upside for 2026.

Before the start of this season, fans believed it could be the year they could get into the playoff hunt, but signing Tommy Pham to save the outfield completely botched their chances (among other things). Pittsburgh has four years after in this Paul Skenes window and the odds of extending him are already extremely slim. Since Cherington was unsuccessful with putting a winning team together when he had stars already on the team to build around, his days as Pirates GM should already be numbered.

If he decides to trade Bednar at the deadline, it better be for a bat that can impact the 2026 Pirates. Whether than be a rookie or prospects in Double-A or Triple-A, it must be in the form to upgrade this offensive unit. Rodriguez has the upside to do so in 2031, so acquiring him just does not make sense right now. If Cherington wants to keep his job, he'd better ignore this suggestion from Bowden.