MLB Rumors: Pirates Ownership Prevented Trade Of One Player Multiple Times
According to Noah Hiles, Pirates ownership "stepped in" during prior seasons to block potential Bednar deals. The front office had fielded serious interest in the Pittsburgh native as far back as 2022, when he was at peak value with multiple years of club control.
Bednar, the key return in the Joe Musgrove trade and a hometown favorite, quickly became the face of the Pirates’ bullpen and one of the team’s few marketable stars. Despite growing trade speculation, particularly at the 2022 and 2023 deadlines, ownership reportedly refused to greenlight any deal — a rare but not unheard-of move in MLB.
A Declining Asset the Pirates Could Have Sold High
At one point, Bednar looked like one of the league’s top closers, posting a combined 2.27 ERA with 58 saves from 2022 to 2023. He was arguably Pittsburgh’s most reliable performer during those years. But 2024 saw a sharp decline. Injuries and inconsistency derailed his season, and Bednar's stock plummeted to the point that he was demoted to Triple-A to start 2025. Since his return in mid-April, Bednar has shown flashes of regaining form — punching out 20 batters in 13.1 innings with a 3.38 ERA — but the opportunity to trade him at his peak has likely passed.
David Bednar has a 1.68 FIP this year. K/BB/HR numbers are all really, really good, but plagued by a .447 BABIP. League average is .290. He's back and has likely recouped much of his trade value
— Ethan Fisher (@efisher330) May 22, 2025
This kind of organizational interference isn’t unique to Pittsburgh. Teams like the Los Angeles Angels and Houston Astros have seen similar owner-led decisions override baseball operations. For the Pirates, however, it’s especially notable given how infrequently they’ve had high-leverage trade assets of Bednar’s caliber.
Could Bednar Still Be Moved in 2025?
Now 30, Bednar is earning $5.9 million this season and is only under control through 2026. With the Pirates buried in the standings and ownership seemingly less resistant to a move this time around, Bednar may finally be dealt at the trade deadline. Hiles suggests that this summer could be different: "I no longer think that will be an issue."
This was David Bednar coming out of the game smiling, after allowing a pair of runs. Not a good look pic.twitter.com/UfTjdFkm51
— Jason Shetler (@Jason_Shetler) May 20, 2025
If Bednar stays healthy and keeps performing, expect his name to surface again in July. Whether the Pirates capitalize on his value this time or wait too long once again could say a lot about how serious they are about truly rebuilding — or just preserving familiar faces.
Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
