Pirates Should Seek Reunion With All-Star Closer

The Pittsburgh Pirates have a key offseason coming up as they look to become a playoff team in 2027.

The Pirates were close to making the playoffs in 2026, finishing 82-80 and just six games out of a National League Wild Card spot. If Pittsburgh makes some solid free-agent signings, they could be a contender for a playoff spot in 2027.

One player they should target is their former two-time All-Star closer, David Bednar, who spent five years with the Pirates. He has been with the New York Yankees since the 2025 trade deadline and is coming off a great 2026 season.

In 2026, Bednar posted a 2.61 ERA with 35 saves, 76 strikeouts, 20 walks, and a 1.038 WHIP. If the 32-year-old came back to the Pirates, he would be a reliable closer. In his five years with Pittsburgh, he posted a 2.95 ERA with 101 saves, 335 strikeouts, 94 walks, and a 1.144 WHIP.

The Pirates already have some other quality arms in the bullpen, with Mason Montgomery and Luke Weaver still under contract.

Montgomery had a great 2026 season, recording a 2.88 ERA with 105 strikeouts, 26 walks, and a 1.034 WHIP. The 26-year-old also posted 18 saves in a career year out of the bullpen. 

Weaver was a trade deadline acquisition by Pittsburgh at the deadline and struggled, posting a 4.96 ERA with 20 strikeouts, five walks, and a 1.347 WHIP across 18 appearances. He was much better while with the New York Mets in 2026, as he posted a 1.84 ERA with 45 strikeouts, 11 walks, and a 0.818 WHIP in 42 games.

If he can pitch closer to how he did with the Mets, it will help Pittsburgh have one of the best bullpens in baseball.

The Pirates have a strong rotation led by star starting pitcher Paul Skenes. Skenes dominated his first two seasons and has been an All-Star in each of his first three years.

In the 2024 season, Skenes had a 1.96 ERA with 170 strikeouts, 32 walks, and a 0.947 WHIP. He was even better in 2025, winning the NL Cy Young Award with a 1.97 ERA, 216 strikeouts, 42 walks, and a 0.948 WHIP. 

Skenes had a down year in 2026, posting a 3.82 ERA with 200 strikeouts, 49 walks, and a 1.119 WHIP. The 24-year-old is still one of the best pitchers in baseball, but will look to return to being a contender to win the Cy Young Award in 2027.

Having a strong bullpen, anchored by a closer like Bednar, could help Pittsburgh become a playoff-caliber team.