Pirates 'extremely relieved' to see All-Star pitchers David Bednar, Mitch Keller staying put

David Bednar laughed out loud upon learning that his parents posted a photo on social media of themselves standing in front of his banner outside PNC Park, holding up a phone that displayed 6 o’clock.

As happy as Andy and Sue Bednar were to see their son was still a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates when the MLB trade deadline passed at 6 p.m. Tuesday, they weren’t alone.

No one wants to be a Pirate more than David Bednar, a Mars alum who loves everything about playing for his hometown team. Everything, perhaps, except for seeing his name in trade rumors this past week.

“It was kind of like that imaginary weight off your shoulders,” the All-Star closer said after earning his 22nd save in a 4-1 win over the Detroit Tigers. “It’s a weird thing. It’s not that it was on my mind or I was thinking about it, but it’s being talked about. It was definitely a relief to be here.”

That the Pirates resisted temptations to trade their two All-Star pitchers, Bednar and right-handed starter Mitch Keller, was a positive sign for the team’s immediate future. Pirates manager Derek Shelton said he was “extremely relieved” that both Keller and Bednar were still Pirates after the trade deadline passed.

“You are talking about two guys that are really important to the Pirates moving forward,” Shelton said. “There’s a lot of speculation, a lot of talk that goes out there. When you have two All-Stars of their caliber, people are going to talk about them, people are going to inquire on them. I’m excited that both guys are still here.”

Pirates GM Ben Cherington on listening to offers but not trading All-Stars Mitch Keller and David Bednar pic.twitter.com/kVb33fO2fY

— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) August 2, 2023

One is a homegrown product, the other a product of his hometown.

The 27-year-old Keller was drafted and developed by the Pirates, a 2014 second-round pick who rose through their system to become their top pitching product. After struggling through his first four seasons, Keller is 9-7 with a 3.97 ERA and leads the Pirates in WHIP (1.21), innings pitched (133⅔) and strikeouts (145) this year.

“You look at all the good teams and what they have is a horse,” Bednar said. “That’s what Mitch is. He’s the guy. That just affirms it even more.”

Bednar, 28, was acquired from the San Diego Padres as part of the return package for pitcher Joe Musgrove, making him an incredibly popular byproduct of the extremely unpopular Gerrit Cole trade. Bednar has 41 saves the past two seasons and is a two-time All-Star selection.

Both Bednar and Keller were coveted because of their performances this season and their years of club control beyond it. As much as they were flattered to know there was interest from contenders, both spoke publicly before the trade deadline about their desire to stay put.

“That’s definitely the double-edge of it,” Bednar said. “I would say it’s way more stress on my family and my wife Casey, so they were way more caught up in it than I was. Honestly, usually all the stuff you see online is all just smoke. I wasn’t worried about it, but all my friends and Casey and my parents and siblings were all cracking jokes. Obviously, I’m pumped to be here. I’m really happy with what we’re building here and what we’re going to accomplish.”

Keller, who turned down reported “low-ball offers” from the Pirates in spring training and during the season, will enter his second year of arbitration next year after making $2,437,500 this season.

The Pirates have yet to discuss a contract extension with Bednar, who enters his first year of arbitration eligibility after making $745,000 this season. Bednar, who is hoping to avoid arbitration and sign a long-term deal, expressed pride in playing for the Pirates.

“I think you guys know how I feel about being here and playing here,” Bednar said, “and how fun this is gonna be when we are winning here.”

The trade deadline proved bittersweet for both Bednar and Keller, given that catcher Austin Hedges, pitcher Rich Hill and first basemen Ji-Man Choi and Carlos Santana were dealt to contenders.

Keller was locker mates with Hill and learned how to prepare between starts from the 43-year-old left-hander and 19-year veteran. Hedges drew raves inside the Pirates clubhouse for his game preparation, pitch-calling and framing.

“It’s going to be tough because he helped me learn how to pitch better than I had before by putting up a different avenue of how I can pitch and how I can use my stuff, which I will be forever grateful for him,” Keller said of Hedges. “He’s probably a part of the reason why I was an All-Star this year, just helping me navigate through tough times. His knowledge behind the plate is just incredible. Having him here the past couple months has been awesome and I’ve learned so much.”

Keeping Keller and Bednar, along with third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes and outfielder Bryan Reynolds, gives the Pirates cornerstones for the future. They also have second-year starters in shortstop Oneil Cruz, outfielder Jack Suwinski, middle infielders Ji Hwan Bae and Tucupita Marcano, righty starter Johan Oviedo and righty reliever Colin Holderman. And the Pirates promoted a crop of talented rookies this summer in catcher Endy Rodriguez, second baseman Nick Gonzales, shortstops Liover Peguero and Alika Williams, third baseman Jared Triolo, right fielder Henry Davis, starter Quinn Priester and reliever Carmen Mlodzinski.

“It just feels good, man,” Keller said. “What we’re building here, it’s great to be a part of. I’m just excited to be here and be here for the foreseeable future.”