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Blue Jays-Pirates Trade Talks Ignite Bullpen Buzz

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Graves | Last updated Jul 29, 2025 4:35 PM ET

The relief market ahead of Thursday's trade deadline has the Toronto Blue Jays' front office eyes set on that.

Relievers like Phil Maton and Danny Coulombe are emerging as logical fits. But while the Blue Jays seem committed to reinforcing the bullpen without overpaying, they may not stop there.

According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the Blue Jays have discussed potential trade scenarios with the Pittsburgh Pirates that would send a reliever to Toronto. The two names drawing attention are David Bednar and Dennis Santana.

The Blue Jays and Pirates have discussed trade possibilities that would involve a reliever going to Toronto, sources say.

David Bednar and Dennis Santana are Pittsburgh’s top bullpen trade candidates; both are eligible for free agency after ’26.@MLBNetwork @FAN590 @Sportsnet
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 29, 2025

Both Bednar and Santana come with team control through 2026 and have put together strong 2025 seasons. Bednar owns a 2.37 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 17 saves across 38 innings. After a rocky start that led to a brief Triple-A stint, Bednar has bounced back with a 1.70 ERA since returning in late May.

Santana has quietly become one of the most effective setup men in the league. He enters the final days of July with a 1.39 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, and a .176 opponents' average in 45 1/3 innings. His ability to get weak contact and navigate high-leverage situations makes him a sleeper deadline target.

The Blue Jays' bullpen ranks among the American League's top half with a 3.72 ERA and 31 saves. However, the depth has been tested by injuries to Yimi García, Nick Sandlin and Ryan Burr. That's why reinforcements remain a priority.

The Blue Jays are exploring different strategies to strengthen their bullpen for the upcoming stretch run. Whether they opt for more budget-friendly pitchers like Coulombe or aim for a bigger addition such as Bednar, talks with the Pirates indicate their willingness to consider various options.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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