The Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets are locked in a close battle for the top spot in the National League East, and the Phillies may look to strengthen their bullpen ahead of the trade deadline to boost their chances of winning the division.
Philadelphia recently lost their closer, José Alvarado, to a PED suspension that will sideline him for the postseason. Jordan Romano, a former All-Star, has taken over as closer but has struggled with a 4.38 ERA since Alvarado’s suspension, and the team has started to avoid using him in save situations.
With the Pittsburgh Pirates expected to be sellers at the deadline, David Bednar has emerged as a potential target. Sports Illustrated’s Nick Selbe predicted the Phillies would acquire Bednar, who made the All-Star team in 2022 and 2023 and led the National League in saves in 2023. While he had a tough 2024 campaign with a 5.77 ERA and a demotion to Triple-A, he has bounced back impressively, posting a 2.03 ERA, 11 saves, and 38 strikeouts in 28 games since his return.
Bednar could bring much-needed stability to the back end of the Phillies’ bullpen during their playoff push. However, acquiring him might not be simple. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports the Pirates are open to trade talks on nearly every player except Paul Skenes and Oneil Cruz. Bednar, who remains under team control for another year, could be a valuable asset in a market where relievers are always in demand.