'Keep the Yinzer': Pirates players say All-Star closer David Bednar should receive next extension

BRADENTON, Fla. — Before staff ace Mitch Keller could put ink to his $77 million contract, there was talk about which player should be the next targeted for a long-term extension by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

With Gold Glove third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes and left fielder Bryan Reynolds locked into eight-year contracts and Keller agreeing to a five-year deal through 2028, eyes turned toward the two-time All-Star closer.

“I would like to say they keep the Yinzer around,” Pirates pitcher JT Brubaker said Thursday at Pirate City. “That’s my prediction: Bednar is the next one in line.”

A Mars alum who loves playing for his hometown team, David Bednar would absolutely love a contract extension. After tying for the National League lead with 39 saves and leading the majors with a 92.9% save percentage, Bednar avoided arbitration in his first year of eligibility by signing a $4.51 million contract for 2024.

When asked if he was next, Bednar laughed.

“Out of my control,” he said.

When told his teammates want to see him extended, Bednar smiled.

“It’s cool,” he said. “It just shows how much I love the city of Pittsburgh.”

Bednar, 29, won’t become a free agent until 2027, so the Pirates might not feel a sense of urgency to lock him up long-term. But he’s been one of their most reliable pitchers since arriving from San Diego in January 2021 as part of the return in the Joe Musgrove trade, recording a 2.25 ERA with 61 saves in 172 appearances over three seasons.

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The peace of mind that comes with a contract extension are not lost on Bednar, especially after seeing Hayes sign for $70 million in 2022 and Reynolds for $106.75 million last April.

“It’s freeing,” Bednar said. “Not that that’s on the forefront of everyone’s mind, but it’s an added layer. It’s not a thought in your mind. You’re just focusing on winning baseball games, and that’s it. I’m happy for all of those guys. Mitch is a great addition to those last two names. It’s really cool to see that continue to build and that core of guys.”

Bednar is a bargain compared to the game’s highest-paid closers. Edwin Diaz of the New York Mets signed a five-year, $102 million deal in November 2022. Josh Hader signed a five-year, $95 million contract with the Houston Astros in January.

But, like Hayes, Reynolds and Keller, Bednar might be receptive to giving the Pirates a discounted deal for the sake of security.

“It’s team- and player-friendly contracts, where it’s a nice agreement between the two and it’s a security thing,” Brubaker said. “Just to have an extension for years, it’s like, ‘I know I’m going to be in one place and I don’t have to worry about anything except trying to contribute the best I can to this organization and this team for the ultimate end goal of a World Series and winning here.’ It takes that back-of-your-mind question out of everything. Now, you’re solely about baseball and winning. I’m not saying that Ke’, Reynolds and Mitch weren’t but it’s one of those things where it just solidifies it more now.”