If the National League landscape has proven anything, it is that being a winning team is not good enough to truly contend.

The Arizona Diamondbacks know this better than anyone. After finishing with a winning record in two of the last three seasons, the Diamondbacks have still failed to make the playoffs since winning the NL pennant in 2023.

Arizona has talent on its roster, but there are, no doubt, some holes in it. The Diamondbacks need to address their weaknesses in the bullpen and their inefficiency against right-handed pitching. 

There are multiple free-agent pitchers out there who could help bolster Arizona's relief core, but if they wanted to pursue a bigger fish, right-hander David Bednar is an option.

Bednar, 32, is coming off a season with the New York Yankees in which he posted a 7-3 record with a 2.47 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP over 64 appearances and 69.1 innings of work. 

It was Bednar’s first full season with the Yankees after he was traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2025, and since he has been donning the pinstripes, Bednar has been a dominant force.

In five of the past six seasons, he has also recorded an era below 3.00. The 2024 season was rough for Bednar as he posted a 3-8 record with a 5.77 ERA, but he has otherwise been very productive over the course of his eight-year career.

As a closer, Bednar has delivered under pressure time and time again for New York. He had 39 save opportunities in 2026, out of which he earned 35 saves. Opposing hitters posted a .205 average against him, further illustrating how difficult he is to hit. 

When digging into Bednar's metrics further on his Baseball Savant profile, he grades very well to great in nearly every category. Arizona's bullpen was very average in terms of ERA and was near the bottom of Major League Baseball in strikeouts. 

Bednar could come in and make an immediate impact. However, it will not be easy to acquire him.

Recently, MLB Trade Rumors put together a list of the top 50 free agents with predictions surrounding their next contract and landing spot. 

Three of the site's writers, Steve Adams, Anthony Franco, and Darragh McDonald, provided input on the list. In Bednar's case, there is a belief that he will receive a four-year, $68 million contract. 

Adams, Franco, and McDonald believe Bednar will return to the Yankees, but what if Arizona could poach him?

Arizona could be the team that offers slightly more money. Given the recent comments of owner Ken Kendrick expressing his desire to trim payroll, outbidding the Yankees may be easier said than done, but nothing is impossible.

Given Bednar's production, it would behoove the Diamondbacks to inquire about him. If the new Collective Bargaining Agreement institutes a salary floor that requires teams to spend a certain amount, Kendrick may not be able to trim payroll anyway. That opens up a more realistic path to acquiring Bednar or someone of his caliber.