Insider: Yankees exploring trades with Pirates as deadline clock winds down originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
With less than 48 hours to go until the 2025 MLB trade deadline, the New York Yankees are still flirting with the Pittsburgh Pirates over some pitching. According to insider Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Yankees and Pirates are still discussing reliever David Bednar and starter Mitch Keller on Tuesday night.
But while there’s interest in both arms, the Yankees might not like the price.
“Bednar is a target. Keller interests them, too, but the price tag might discourage them,” Heyman reported Tuesday.
That lines up with what we’ve seen from the Yankees so far this month.
They’ve been aggressive in scouting relievers but cautious about overpaying, especially for pitchers under long-term control. Bednar, who has a 4.19 ERA and 16 saves in 2025, would fill a pressing need for a club that ranks near the bottom of the league in bullpen ERA for July. His late-inning experience and high ground-ball rate make him a logical fit.
Keller, meanwhile, would be a luxury at this point, especially after Luis Gil’s impending return. The right-hander is having a bounce-back year for the Pirates, with a 3.56 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and a team-leading 121 strikeouts in 125 innings.
But he’s under team control through 2028, and Pittsburgh doesn’t appear eager to move him unless blown away.
That’s likely where the Yankees’ caution kicks in.
The team has shown a willingness to deal mid-tier prospects but has reportedly been hesitant to part with top-end talent like Cam Schlittler or Spencer Jones, especially for non-rental pieces.
Still, the fact that conversations have occurred shows that even in the wake of Aaron Judge’s injury news, the Yankees remain active on both the bullpen and rotation fronts. The Yankees front office is casting a wide net. With time running out, names like Bednar and Keller remain firmly in the mix.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 30, 2025, where it first appeared.