After much speculation about his future with the club, the Pirates traded David Bednar to the Yankees on Thursday, just hours ahead of the Trade Deadline, sources told MLB.com. The clubs have not confirmed the deal.

TRADE DETAILS

Pirates receive: C/1B Rafael Flores, C/1B Edgleen Perez and OF Brian Sanchez

Yankees receive: RHP David Bednar

Bednar’s season got off to a very shaky start, being optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis after taking two losses in the opening series in Miami, but he has been in top form since being recalled in mid-April. He is a perfect 17-for-17 in save opportunities this year and went 23 straight appearances without allowing an earned run from May 24-July 26.

A revitalized curveball has been the much-needed second offering Bednar didn’t have in his down 2024 season. Of his 51 strikeouts this year, 21 have come on the pitch, registering a 37.5% whiff rate and a .190 batting average against.

Bednar has pitched to a 2.37 ERA over 42 appearances this year, the lowest clip of his career since 2023 (2.00 ERA), when he tied for the National League lead in saves (39).

A product of nearby Mars, Pa., the two-time All-Star became a favorite in Pittsburgh for his local ties and his performance on the field. He is one of five Pirates to accrue 100 saves with the club since the stat became official in 1969.

Flores, 24, is considered to be close to Major League-ready, splitting time with the Double-A Somerset Patriots and the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. He has slashed .279/.351/.475 with 16 home runs this year between the two levels.

Perez, 19, is more of a project. Considered to be the best defensive catching prospect in the Yankees’ system, he boasts a 60-grade arm (per MLB Pipeline) and 55-grade fielding tool. There is offensive upside too, though he has slashed just .209/.368/.236 at Single-A Tampa.

Sanchez, 21, is also in Single-A, where he has slashed .281/.373/.438.