The New York Yankees entered the trade deadline in July with one glaring priority: fix the bullpen. A unit that had been both volatile and unreliable needed reinforcements if the team was going to survive the late-summer grind and enter October with confidence. While several acquisitions have struggled to find their footing, one move has already proven to be a difference-maker.

Bednar emerges as the anchor

David Bednar arrived from the Pittsburgh Pirates with high expectations and has quickly validated the Yankees’ decision. The 30-year-old right-hander has not only stabilized the bullpen but taken control of the closer role, something the Yankees initially envisioned going to Devin Williams.

Across the season, Bednar has been nearly untouchable, carrying a 2.38 ERA through 56.2 innings

See Full Page