David Bednar, RP, Pittsburgh Pirates
For another dominant reliever the Phillies should pursue, there is an intriguing option in Pittsburgh: reliever David Bednar. Bednar's stock has risen tremendously over the past few seasons as he has evolved into the Pirates’ shutdown closer.
Unlike Kimbrel and Díaz, who are mainly equipped with a strong two-pitch arsenal, Bednar possesses a blazing fastball constantly in the 97 mph range, to go along with a super slow curve down around 75-80 mph and a nasty changeup that often mimicked his fastball but ranges in the low 90s. His three-pitch weaponry has paved the way to his success with the Pirates over the past three seasons.
The two-time All-Star also led the National League in saves in 2023 with 39, with a stellar 2.00 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP, surrendering just 15 earned runs with 21 walks and 80 strikeouts in 67 1/3 innings in 66 appearances. For a team that only won 76 games all of last season, Bednar played a critical role in securing victories for over half of them.
He was suggested as a trade candidate at this year’s trade deadline, as he has proven to be the real deal.
Having turned 29 recently and in his prime, it may be hard for the Pirates to make someone like Bednar available in trade talks. However, with their apparent glaring weakness in their starting rotation and with the Phillies having two highly-touted pitching prospects who could be MLB-ready in 2024 in Mick Abel and Griff McGarry, they could suddenly find themselves as ideal trade partners in helping each other fill their needs.