Clearly, all is not well with the New York Yankees.
After a roller coaster 11-9 ballgame on Wednesday night, the Yankees were swept and knocked out of first place by the Toronto Blue Jays. They're still in good shape to make the playoffs, but the Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays are now both tied for the division race.
The bullpen isn't the Yankees' biggest issue, per se, but it's certainly not infallible. Setup man Luke Weaver got rocked in the 12-5 loss to the Blue Jays on Tuesday, then closer Devin Williams allowed the game-winning runs in the eighth inning on Wednesday.
Could New York revitalize its playoff campaign with a trade for one more high-leverage reliever?
On Wednesday, Sam Chapman of Pinstripe Alley suggested one such reliever as a Yankees fit: two-time All-Star David Bednar of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
"The bullpen could very well see a move for the Pirates at this deadline. David Bednar, despite being sent down early in the season, has had a nice rebound and is under team control until the end of next season," Chapman wrote.
Follow The Sporting News On WhatsApp
"The Pirates should be in a mostly full seller mindset come this year’s trade deadline. Despite the varying situations around their roster, they likely will find a way to move some value around to build, some of which could always be of interest to the Yankees for the right price."
The 30-year-old Bednar owns a 2.73 ERA in 33 appearances this season, and his 2.14 FIP suggests he's been even better than the results indicate. He's on pace for a career-high strikeout rate at 34.7 percent.
Sure, the Yankees' bullpen is righty-dominant, but Bednar could be a real difference maker. And they'd also have him under contract for 2026, which would mean they'd have to give up a legitimate prospect or two in the deal.
More MLB: Blue Jays urged to make 'dream' trade for Royals' rental All-Star