7-31-25 – By Gary Morgan – @garymo2007 on X
The Pirates traded David Bednar to the New York Yankees today for a package of 3 prospects.
Let’s run through what they got before I start telling you what I think of it.
Pirates Get
C/1B (AAA) Rafael Flores – The Yankees number 8 prospect
Rafael Flores was emerging as one of the most intriguing power-hitting prospects in the New York Yankees’ farm system. Originally undrafted, Flores signed with the Yankees in 2022 after a standout summer with the Alaska Goldpanners and has since become a breakout star. In 2024, he was named the Yankees’ Minor League Player of the Year after slashing .279/.379/.495 with 21 home runs across High-A and Double-A
His offensive profile is built around plus raw power, a pull-heavy approach, and some of the highest exit velocities among Yankees prospects
Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 230 pounds, Flores splits time between catcher and first base. While his defense behind the plate is still a work in progress—he’s thrown out just 17% of base stealers—his footwork and hustle have drawn praise
His bat, however, is what sets him apart. In 2025, he continued to mash at Double-A Somerset, hitting .287 with 15 home runs in 87 games before a recent promotion to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He’s only played 10 games in AAA so it’s a bit early to take much from those numbers.
Flores’ offensive game is marked by a disciplined approach and a growing ability to lift the ball with authority. He posted a 150 wRC+ in Double-A, showing he could handle advanced pitching while cutting his groundball rate and increasing his pull-side power
Scouts note that while he still has some swing-and-miss issues, particularly with pitch recognition, his ability to adjust and make better swing decisions has been encouraging
Though not yet on the Yankees’ 40-man roster, Flores is viewed as a potential middle-of-the-order bat with the versatility to contribute at catcher, first base, or designated hitter. His development mirrors that of Ben Rice, another Yankees catcher-turned-slugger.
C/1B (A) Edgleen Perez – The Yankees number 14 prospect
Edgleen Perez signed out of Venezuela in 2023 for just $50,000, Perez has already emerged as arguably the best defensive catcher in the organization. Despite being listed at 5-foot-10 and 155 pounds, he plays bigger than his frame suggests, showcasing advanced receiving, blocking, and arm strength that has helped him throw out 26% of base stealers. Still, it’s an underwhelming frame as it comes to projectability.
Offensively, Perez turned heads in the 2024 Florida Complex League, slashing .283/.444/.380 with 45 walks in just 51 games—good for the second-highest walk total and third-best OBP in the league
His approach at the plate is mature beyond his years, with scouts praising his bat control and ability to work deep counts. While his power is still developing—just two home runs in 2024—his hard-hit rate and physical projection suggest 12–15 homer upside as he matures
Now ranked among the Yankees’ top 20 prospects, Perez is expected to begin 2025 at Low-A Tampa. With a projected MLB ETA of 2028, he’s a long-term play, but one with a high floor thanks to his elite glove and rapidly improving bat.
OF (A) Brian Sanchez – Unranked
This is Lottery Ticketsville folks. Brian Sanchez is known for his projectable frame and raw tools. Signed out of Venezuela, the 6-foot-3 left-handed hitter has steadily climbed the ranks thanks to a combination of athleticism and offensive upside. Though still just 20 years old, Sanchez has already shown flashes of impact potential at the plate, hitting .304 with a .385 OBP and .565 slugging percentage in a brief stint with the Tampa Tarpons
Sanchez is currently ranked in the Tier 5 range of Yankees prospects—players who may not be immediate impact talents but were worth monitoring for long-term upside.
His swing is geared for loft, and he’s begun to tap into his natural power, though he has yet to hit a home run in full-season ball. Scouts note that his wiry frame could support more strength, which would help unlock more consistent extra-base production.
Defensively, Sanchez profiles as a corner outfielder with solid range and an average arm. His speed is above average, giving him some value on the bases and in the field, though his long-term role will likely hinge on how much his bat develops. If he continues to refine his approach and add strength, he could emerge as a sleeper candidate for future MLB contributions.
The Legacy
David Bednar’s legacy as a Pittsburgh Pirate is one of resilience, hometown pride, and elite performance under pressure. A native of Mars, Pennsylvania, Bednar grew up a Pirates fan and realized a childhood dream when he was traded to the team in 2021. Despite being a 35th-round draft pick by the San Diego Padres in 2016, Bednar defied the odds to become one of the most dominant closers in Major League Baseball. His arrival in Pittsburgh marked a turning point in his career, as he quickly established himself as a bullpen anchor and fan favorite.
Bednar’s tenure with the Pirates was highlighted by back-to-back All-Star selections in 2022 and 2023, and he led the National League in saves in 2023 with 39.
His powerful fastball and devastating splitter made him a nightmare for opposing hitters, and his ability to thrive in high-leverage situations earned him the nickname “The Renegade.” That moniker, inspired by the Styx song famously used by the Pittsburgh Steelers, became a rallying cry for fans whenever he took the mound at PNC Park.
His 100th career save, achieved in July 2025, was a defining moment in his Pirates legacy. Not only did it place him among the franchise’s all-time great closers—joining the likes of Roy Face and Kent Tekulve—but it also came in front of a home crowd, underscoring the emotional connection between Bednar and the city.
That milestone was especially meaningful given the adversity he faced, including a rough 2024 season and a demotion to Triple-A in early 2025. His return to form, capped by a perfect save streak and a June NL Reliever of the Month award, showcased his mental toughness and commitment to excellence
Beyond the stats, Bednar’s impact was deeply cultural. He embodied the grit and determination that Pittsburgh sports fans admire, and his presence in the clubhouse was a steadying force during turbulent seasons. Even as trade rumors swirled around him in 2025, Bednar remained focused and grounded, emphasizing a day-by-day mindset that resonated with teammates and fans alike
His journey from overlooked draft pick to hometown hero is a testament to perseverance and passion.
I wish him well as a Yankee, and I’ll miss him, he loved this team far more than anyone serving as an executive has shown.
What I Think
I’m underwhelmed. It’s about the right value, but the timing off. Some of these players could be good, and Flores has a real chance to be in the majors in 2026. All in all, I’d have preferred a better top prospect in the package, and frankly, the Yankees probably weren’t the best dancing partner here.
I do think Flores is a legitimate power bat, but he still needs work and this team struggles to finish the job, even when it’s been started. He’s already 24, he’ll be 25 this year and bluntly, with only 10 games in AAA, it’s likely the rest of the season he spends there seasoning. Meaning if this deal has a 2026 impact aside from losing the closer, it’s this kid. The other two are lottery tickets largely.
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