Much like 2024, the Yankees’ initial bullpen construction to begin 2025 proved insufficient, particularly in the ninth inning. When Devin Williams’ time in pinstripes got off to a rocky start, it became clear GM Brian Cashman would need to find another external option at closer. On July 31st, with the Yankees in the midst of their annual summer swoon, they acquired David Bednar from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for a trio of prospects. Bednar, a two-time All-Star with the Pirates, was one of the top names available in the reliever market.

Despite a forgettable debut in Miami in which—annoyingly—almost all of the Yankees’ new faces blew up simultaneously, Bednar stabilized quickly afterward, settling in as the closer the Bombers would need to claw their way back into the AL East race

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