The 2025 MLB Trade Deadline is about to come and go, and the Philadelphia Phillies are reportedly among the most aggressive teams. A significant upgrade in the bullpen is needed to give the team its best shot at a World Series championship this year.
The Phillies have been rumored to be showing significant interest in top-end late-inning relievers leading up to the deadline. Cleveland Guardians' Emmanuel Clase, St. Louis Cardinals' Ryan Helsley and Athletics' Mason Miller have been popular names, but Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar has been linked to the team quite often.
Balking at Pirates' asking price for David Bednar a mistake Phillies can't afford
Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reiterated that league sources have said the Pirates’ asking price for Bednar is, at minimum, a top-five prospect. Despite interest, the Phillies have reportedly balked at the Pirates’ current asking price for Bednar (subscription required), who has one more year of club control, and could shift their attention elsewhere, per The Athletic's Matt Gelb.
With 34 hours remaining until the Trade Deadline, here is an update on the Phillies search for a closer, courtesy of @MattGelb. pic.twitter.com/gJ1qYoWXX3
— Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) July 30, 2025
Not every team has highly ranked prospects league-wide, but all of the Phillies’ top-five prospects are ranked in the top 100, including three top-50 prospects, per MLB Pipeline. The Phillies would have to part with at least one of Andrew Painter, Aidan Miller, Justin Crawford, Eduardo Tait or Aroon Escobar to meet the Pirates’ demand for Bednar.
Although the asking price is high, it may be worth it for the Phillies, who own the seventh-worst bullpen ERA (4.33) entering Wednesday. Orion Kerkering, Matt Strahm and Max Lazar each have sub-3.00 ERAs heading into the series finale against the Chicago White Sox, but there’s been far too much inconsistency throughout the year. Not to mention, José Alvarado is still suspended and ineligible for the playoffs.
Bednar owns a 2.37 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 42 appearances this season. The right-hander is a perfect 17-for-17 in save opportunities and has three holds.
Coming off two consecutive All-Star appearances in 2022 and 2023, Bednar had a down year in 2024. He finished the season with a 5.77 ERA and had 23 saves in 30 opportunities.
Bednar started his career with the San Diego Padres, making 17 appearances with the team before joining the Pirates in 2021. The 30-year-old has the sixth-most saves (98) in the majors since 2022, including a National League-leading 39 saves in 2023.
Although he’s the Phillies’ No. 6 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, a name to watch in trade talks for the Pirates’ hard-throwing closer is Mick Abel. The 23-year-old is the 92nd-ranked prospect in baseball, per MLB Pipeline, and has had some success at the major league level in 2025, particularly against the Pirates.