Yankees predicted to get ideal season out of closer acquired at 2025 trade deadline

The New York Yankees have one of the best lineups in all of Major League Baseball, and their starting rotation gets a lot of love as well with Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon returning this season.

But one of the more underrated aspects of the Yankees roster for 2026, despite losing Devin Williams and Luke Weaver to the New York Mets, is the bullpen. There's reason to be confident in that group this year, especially with the new full-time closer.

Manny Randhawa of MLB.com shared that 57 MLB.com staff members predicted that Yankees closer David Bednar would have a top-tier save season, finishing runner-up in the AL for saves in an ideal year for the Yankees.

David Bednar predicted to be runner-up in saves in AL

"Bednar has been outstanding for the Yankees since New York acquired him in a Trade Deadline deal with the Pirates last July," Randhawa writes. "...With a three-pitch mix (four-seamer, curveball, splitter), he'll look to lead his league in saves for the second time, also doing so with 39 for Pittsburgh in 2023."

Bednar finishing with the second-most saves in the entire American League would be an incredible outcome for the Yankees' 31-year-old reliever.

He was great last season for the Yankees and the Pirates, posting a combined 2.30 ERA in 62.2 innings pitched with 86 strikeouts and 27 total saves.

In a tight AL East with the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, and Baltimore Orioles, giving an elite closer season like the one predicted for Bednar would be incredibly valuable for the Yankees.

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13 saves came with the Yankees in only 22 appearances, so in a full season as the Yankees' closer, Bednar could be in store for a massive save season.

He had 39 saves in 2023, which led the National League. Bednar is no stranger to elite seasons from a closer role.

While he was a solid reliever for the Yankees last year in a limited stint, this upcoming season, when he's asked to do a lot more, he's predicted to not just pitch well, but finish with the second-most saves in the entire conference.

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