
USA Today via Reuters
Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

USA Today via Reuters
Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
For once, the Yankees didn’t just look the market in the eye; they made it blink. In a deadline dance where most contenders overthink and underdeliver, New York finally pulled off something bolder than a waiver claim. The Pittsburgh Pirates, no strangers to selling late, handed over a prized arm for a price that smells suspiciously like a markdown. In a season begging for bullpen salvation, the Yankees may have just found their closer in crime.
The New York Yankees are not wasting any time on deadline day to fix their problems. They had a problem at 3rd base; they got Ryan McMahon, and then they saw that they had a problem with the relievers and decided to make a trade with the Pirates, at least that is what the report says.
It was reported by MLB Scoops X handle that the Yankees are making a trade with the Pirates. They said, “Sources tell MLBScoops that the most likely landing destination for #Pirates closer David Bednar is the #Yankees. The holdup is that the Bronx Bombers are attempting to acquire Bednar in a package of arms, while Pittsburgh is not keen on moving any other arm.“
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As the trade deadline clock ticks louder, David Bednar remains the last elite closer standing tall. Teams like the Dodgers, Phillies, and Rangers flirted early but backed away from Pittsburgh’s sky-high asking price. Now, it’s the Yankees who sit at the poker table, staring down a franchise desperate for MLB-ready offense. Bednar’s two-time All-Star pedigree and 2.37 ERA this season make him too valuable for window-shopping.
Sources tell MLBScoops that the most likely landing destination for #Pirates closer David Bednar is the #Yankees. The holdup is that the Bronx Bombers are attempting to acquire Bednar in a package of arms, while Pittsburgh is not keen on moving any other arms.
— MLBScoops (@mlb_scoops) July 31, 2025
The Yankees’ bullpen, once feared, has turned combustible, ranking 21st this season. July has been especially disastrous, with a bullpen ERA of 4.24. Luke Weaver and Devin Williams have flamed out in high-leverage moments, eroding confidence and costing wins. Bednar, with 50 strikeouts, eight walks, and 23 straight scoreless appearances, would anchor a spiraling relief unit instantly.
But with dominance comes cost, and the Pirates aren’t settling for spare parts or empty promises. A potential deal could strip New York of flamethrower Carlos Lagrange and versatile hitter Jesus Rodriguez. The Yankees must decide if solving their bullpen crisis is worth sacrificing long-term depth and upside. If Bednar walks into the Bronx, it won’t be cheap—but it might just be championship-saving.
In a market where premium pitching costs prospects and pride, the Yankees are finally paying up. With the rotation patched and the lineup retooled, the bullpen was the last broken pipe in need of fixing. If this deal goes through, it’s not just a win—it’s a rare Cashman coup that plugs the right hole. The Pirates lose an All-Star, the Yankees lose leverage—but October only remembers who closed the door, not who opened it.
What’s your perspective on:
Are the Yankees risking too much for Bednar, or is this the move to save their season?
Have an interesting take?
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The Yankees are looking at the White Sox for another pitcher trade.
Just when you thought the New York Yankees were done spending prospect capital, they circled back with one more shopping cart. In a deadline cycle that’s already seen them raid the Pirates, New York now turns its gaze to the south side. The White Sox, buried in irrelevance and rich in arms, suddenly look like the next supplier. For the Yankees, bullpen rehab isn’t a move—it’s a full-blown addiction.
The Yankees didn’t just ring up the Chicago White Sox—they circled names and underlined needs in ink. With outfield depth thin and Aaron Judge nursing a flexor strain, they eyed Austin Slater’s bat. A righty masher with a .798 OPS vs. lefties, Slater fits like a glove in their platoon puzzle. His ability to cover all three outfield spots adds tactical flair to Boone’s late-game chessboard.
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In exchange, New York parted with right-hander Gage Ziehl, their No. 18 prospect and slider specialist. Ziehl’s ceiling as a back-end starter is real, but the Yankees crave impact now. Slater’s $1.75M tag makes this a budget-friendly bet on righty-lefty balance. With Judge limited and Bellinger, Grisham leaning left, Slater brings order to a one-sided outfield storm.
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So while Austin Slater shores up the outfield, don’t be fooled—Brian Cashman’s shopping list isn’t done. The Yankees’ front office isn’t just rearranging the furniture; they’re redecorating the entire bullpen wing. Pitching, after all, is the new currency in October baseball—and New York’s trying to print its own. If the White Sox are hosting a fire sale, the Yankees brought the gasoline and a platinum credit card. In the Bronx, “all-in” isn’t a slogan—it’s the lease agreement.
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Are the Yankees risking too much for Bednar, or is this the move to save their season?