Pirates Urged to Reunite With All-Star This Offseason

Despite missing the playoffs this past season, the Pittsburgh Pirates do have a very bright future going forward.

Pittsburgh ended the year with a record of 82-80, showing much more fight in 2026 than they had in previous seasons. The Pirates also have a strong core of young talent who are looking to keep developing to get this team over the hump.

It has been a long time since the Pirates made the playoffs, but many players in the clubhouse believe that next season could be the year. However, that will all depend on how the front office acts this offseason, with the winter being one of the biggest in recent memory for the Pirates.

Pittsburgh has a few holes across the roster to address, and if the front office can work some magic, this team could be a force to deal with next season. But one area that could make sense to add to is within the bullpen, namely in the closer spot.

One name that could make a lot of sense for the Pirates to consider is old friend David Bednar, who was traded to the New York Yankees last year. Bednar will be a free agent this offseason, and the Pirates could look to bring him back. 

Dominic Campbell of Pirates on SI has linked Bednar back to the Pirates, and the fit does make a lot of sense. While Bednar was a closer with Pittsburgh, the team could elect to use him as a setup man as well. 

The Pirates saw left-hander Mason Montgomery emerge as the closer over the final few months of the regular season. Both Bednar and Montgomery could be interchangeable as the team's closer if Pittsburgh were to bring back the right-hander. 

Having a righty and a lefty could offer the Pirates the opportunity to use either pitcher, depending on the situation. Bednar was great with the Yankees, putting up a 2.47 ERA and recording 35 saves this season.

And in the playoffs, Bednar put up a 1.50 ERA over five games in 2025, while throwing three scoreless outings this year. Having that postseason experience could be huge for a team like the Pirates, and Bednar could offer this team a lot.

When he was in Pittsburgh, Bednar was a fan favorite, and the front office could make the fans very happy by bringing him back. Bednar may be interested in coming back, especially with the Pirates now looking like they could compete for a playoff spot next season.