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Bednar’s Dominance Demands Yankees Shatter This Trend
Why the Yankees Should Break Their Own Rules and Keep David Bednar
The Yankees’ Money Situation: Rich, But Not That Rich
Imagine you get a $300 million allowance every year. That sounds like infinite money, right? But even the New York Yankees—one of the richest teams in sports—have to make choices. They can’t just buy every player they want.
Recently, the Yankees made a new rulebook for building their team. Their philosophy? Spend smart, not just big.
Important Point: The Yankees have one of the biggest budgets in baseball (~$300 million), but they now follow a strict "organizational philosophy" to stretch those dollars as far as possible.
The Old Way: Building a "Super Bullpen" (2016–2019)
Not long ago, the Yankees believed the secret to winning championships was a super-powered bullpen (the group of pitchers who finish games). They spent huge money on famous names:
- Aroldis Chapman (fireball closer)
- Dellin Betances & Andrew Miller (dominant setup men)
- Later added: Zack Britton, Adam Ottavino, Tommy Kahnle, David Robertson, Chad Green
The Problem With the Old Way
| Year | Spent on Top 4 Relievers | % of Total Payroll |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | ~$48 million | Over 20% |
Important Point: Spending 1/5 of your entire budget on just 4 relievers left holes in the starting rotation and lineup. Plus, several expensive relievers got hurt or stopped pitching well (Ottavino crashed, Chapman lost velocity, Britton got injured).
The New Way: The "Pitching Lab" Factory
Around 2020, the Yankees changed their pitching coaches—from Larry Rothschild to Matt Blake and Sam Briend. They built a high-tech "pitching lab" to develop cheap, homegrown relievers.
Recent Success Stories (Low Cost, High Value)
- Clay Holmes → Acquired in a minor trade, became closer for 2.5 years
- Michael King & Clarke Schmidt → Developed internally, then moved to starting rotation
- Luke Weaver, Jake Cousins, Ian Hamilton → Signed for pennies, pitched well
- Brent Headrick, Paul Blackburn → 2025 breakouts from the "lab"
- Only one big free-agent deal: Tommy Kahnle (2 years, $12 million)
Important Point: The Yankees now prefer trades, minor signings, and internal development over paying $10M+ for relievers. It saves money for other positions.
The Revolving Door at Closer
Because they won’t pay top dollar, the Yankees keep cycling through closers:
- Aroldis Chapman (left)
- Clay Holmes (traded)
- Devin Williams (traded for, had a rough 2025, let walk)
- David Bednar (current closer, acquired at 2025 trade deadline)
Bednar becomes a free agent after the 2025 season. History says the Yankees will let him walk and try the next "lab" creation.
Why David Bednar Should Be the Exception
1. He’s Been Elite Lately
After a shaky April–May (including a bad blown save vs. the Mets), Bednar has not allowed a run in his last 20 appearances:
- 23⅔ innings | 0 runs | 8 hits | 5 walks | 24 strikeouts
- Only 3 times did he allow 2+ baserunners in an inning—stranded them all
Important Point: Since mid-May, Bednar has been arguably the most reliable closer in baseball. Zero stress, zero runs.
2. His Track Record Is Strong (Except One Weird Year)
| Season | ERA | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2.23 | Breakout All-Star |
| 2022 | 2.61 | All-Star again |
| 2023 | 2.00 | Dominant |
| 2024 | 5.77 | Struggled, sent to minors to fix mechanics |
| 2025 (recent) | ~0.00 | Back to elite form |
One bad year ≠ a bad pitcher. He fixed his mechanics in the minors and returned better.
3. His "Stuff" Plays Well Into His 30s
- Fastball: 96–97 mph (elite velocity)
- Splitter: Low 90s, nasty movement (his "out pitch")
- Curveball: Uses it less now—smart adjustment
Important Point: Relievers who rely on velocity + a great off-speed pitch (like teammate Fernando Cruz, still elite at age 36) often stay effective deep into their 30s. Bednar turns 32 in October—prime years ahead.
4. The Money Works
- Coming off the books: Trent Grisham, Jazz Chisholm Jr. (free agents)
- Weak free-agent market for closers = Bednar won’t cost a fortune
- Estimated market: ~$50 million over 3 years (similar to Devin Williams, Robert Suárez)
- No better option available (Mason Miller trade unlikely)
Summary: The Case for Keeping Bednar
| Reason | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Current dominance | 0.00 ERA over last 20 games; best bullpen in MLB (3.01 ERA) |
| Proven track record | 3 All-Star caliber seasons; 2024 was a fixable fluke |
| Age & arsenal fit | 32 with 97 mph heat + elite splitter = ages well |
| Financial fit | Money available; market price reasonable; no better alternative |
| Organizational need | Stops the "revolving door"; gives stability for playoff runs |
Bottom Line: The Yankees’ "cheap bullpen" strategy is smart 95% of the time. But David Bednar is the 5% exception—a proven, elite closer in his prime who fits the budget. Sign him.
FAQ
1. Why don’t the Yankees just keep developing new closers in their "lab"?
They’ve had great success (Holmes, Headrick, etc.), but development is unpredictable. Bednar is a known commodity—proven in high-leverage playoff atmospheres. Replacing him with a question mark risks the whole bullpen.
2. Isn’t $50 million a lot for a reliever?
For a top-5 closer in baseball entering his prime? No. It’s ~$16.6M/year—less than a middle-of-the-rotation starter. The Yankees spend $300M+ total; this is a smart allocation for a position where failure = lost games.
3. What if Bednar gets hurt or declines?
Risk exists for every player. But his pitch mix (fastball/splitter) historically ages better than pure-velocity guys. And the 3-year term limits long-term risk. The Yankees can absorb a down year; they can’t easily replace elite closing.
4. Didn’t the Yankees just let Devin Williams walk after one bad year?
Yes—but Williams had injury history and command issues. Bednar’s 2024 struggles were mechanical, fixed in the minors. His 2025 resurgence proves the fix worked. Different player, different situation.
5. Could they trade for someone like Mason Miller (A’s) instead?
Possible, but unlikely. Oakland will demand a massive prospect haul for a young, controllable closer. The Yankees’ farm system is depleted. Paying Bednar money costs only cash—no top prospects.
Article based on reporting from Inside the Pinstripes / Sports Illustrated.
