PT TOMORROW: NL Central - A closer candidate in PIT

Pittsburgh Pirates

David Bednar (RHP, PIT) has garnered plenty of chatter as a trade candidate ahead of next month’s trade deadline. The idea of Bednar being dealt is far from a certainty, as he is under team control through 2026, which gives the team time to hit a contending cycle. However, if Bednar is on the move, the team’s pecking order in the bullpen has likely shifted in recent weeks.

Previously, Chris Stratton (RHP, PIT) appeared to be next in line if Bednar was injured or traded, and at one point this season appeared to be splitting the closer role. Since, he has struggled from a results perspective and has also seen key indicators such as his strikeout rate drop (21 K%) and has allowed opposing hitters to reach base at a .298...

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