GettyDavid Bednar of the Pittsburgh Pirates
Murphy mentioned that on May 19, four of the 2023 postseason-qualified clubs were at least four games below 500. Underperforming teams that were predicted to be successful in 2024 are “pointing to a robust rental market ahead of July 30,” according to Murphy’s report.
All of that is encouraging for the Phillies, who may need temporary help in the outfield corner, at backup catcher, and in the bullpen, according to Murphy.
Bednar would provide the Phillies with an outstanding closer.
Murphy of Bednar stated, “Tough early going for the Pirates closer, but in his last seven outings, including four saves, he has a 2.04 FIP (fielding independent pitching).” “Maybe if he returns to form over the next month and a half, Pittsburgh will be more willing to make a deal given his troubling start?”
Right now, the Phillies bullpen has the ninth-highest ERA among all big league teams. The group hasn’t performed well as a collective, despite some outstanding individual performances. Bednar could be able to include an elite member.
José Alvarado is currently the Phillies’ closer. In the bullpen, Matt Strahm, Orion Kerkering, and Jeff Hoffman all complement him. In 2024, Alvarado has converted eight out of eight save opportunities. Bednar’s addition would enable him to play setup man.
Murphy described Bednar as being in his physical prime, having recently finished a three-year streak during which he struck out 226 batters in 179⅔ innings, allowed just 12 home runs, and had a 2.25 ERA. “Two more years of club control, but he’s in his second year of arbitration for the Pirates, who are known for being frugal.”
Over the past two seasons, Bednar has been named an All-Star every time. His current ERA is 7.85. But he has made 10 saves this season and is beginning to resemble the player he used to be. In his last seven appearances, he has saved five of them and given up just two runs.
Options for the Phillies Bullpen.
Alvarado has recorded eight saves and a 3.72 ERA. Together, Hoffman, Kerkering, and Strahm have 11 holds. Hoffman’s earned run average is 0.90, Kerkering’s is 0.95, and Strahm’s is 1.98.
“There are two general categories into which the reliever market falls: 1) Pure rental players, who finish up as free agents at the end of the season; 2) Late-prime players, who have one or two more years of club control remaining on non-contender small-to-midmarket players. The Phillies ought to take a look at every applicant. After this season, the necessity for a bullpen won’t go away, according to Murphy.
Bednar is more than simply a rental option because he won’t be a free agent until 2027. Other relievers who are set to become free agents at the end of the season may not be needed in the future, even if they will still be available at the deadline.
Murphy confirmed rumors that the 25-year-old Mason Miller of the Oakland Athletics would be available, but the cost might be prohibitive.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal stated of Miller, “To acquire him, a team likely would need to give up a young player of comparable ability, or a substantial package of multiple youngsters who could be part of the A’s future.”
For Heavy.com, Aaliyan Mohammed covers the NFL and MLB. He has written for MLB Pipeline in the past, covering Wisconsin sports heroes and MLB prospects in the Arizona Fall League and Winter League. An additional Aaliyan Mohammed.
