After the slew of injuries and changes to the Detroit Tigers' bullpen, and the injury scare for Will Vest, the team is in clear need of a top reliever in the trade market. One of those potential relievers the team could target is a two-time All-Star who has a history of strong performances out of the bullpen.
In an article from Jim Bowden in The Athletic, two-time All-Star closer David Bednar is predicted to be traded to Detroit for outfielder Cris Rodriguez. The trade would send the Tigers' eighth-ranked prospect to Pittsburgh for a reliever who'd help bolster a bullpen in need of more depth.
"The Tigers need another high-leverage reliever with closer experience." Bowden wrote. "Enter Bednar, who would be a great fit to go with Tommy Kahnle and Will Vest at the back of their bullpen."
The reason for the Tigers having to give up a top-ten prospect for a reliever is due to Bednar being under team control in 2026, and an extra season of value for the Tigers in this trade prediction from Bowden. Bednar is 30 years old and will be in his final year of arbitration in 2026.
Bednar has been with the Pirates since 2021 after two years with the San Diego Padres from 2019 to 2020. While he struggled in San Diego, he's been incredible in Pittsburgh. In his five seasons with the team, Bednar has a 3.13 ERA and 94 saves. But those numbers don't tell the full story.
In 2025, Bednar hasn't been his best self, sitting at a 3.38 ERA through 28 appearances. But, it's significantly better than his 2024, where he struggled all year, and finished with a 5.77 ERA. Normally, that would scare off a lot of teams looking for a reliever. However, his previous three seasons in 2021. 2022 and 2023 were incredible.
Bednar in 2021 had a 2.23 ERA in 60.2 innings pitched, to go with 77 strikeouts and 19 walks. But he only totaled three saves in his first full MLB season, where he was in eighth place in Rookie of the Year voting.
In 2022, Bednar was an All-Star for the first time and finished with a 2.61 ERA, 19 saves, 69 strikeouts, and 19 walks in 51.2 innings pitched. While his 2021 and 2022 seasons were great, his 2023 season was even better.
Bednar had a 2.00 ERA across 67.1 innings pitched. He led the National League in saves with 39, and had 80 strikeouts and 21 walks. He earned his second All-Star nod and looked like one of the best closers in baseball.
However, with his poor 2024 and early struggles in 2025, things weren't looking great for the Pirates closer. However, since returning from the Minor Leagues, Bednar has a 2.35 ERA and nine saves in 2025.
He'd be a great addition to the Tigers' bullpen, and Bowden's prediction would also be a reasonable price to pay to land a potential closer for the next year and a half. Detroit is in win-now mode, and Bednar would be a great acquisition to make at the MLB trade deadline.