Yankees extend David Bednar $23.15 million qualifying offer

The New York Yankees got some stability in the bullpen this year from David Bednar. In his first full season with the Yankees, he converted 35 save opportunities for the team. Still, Bednar is a free agent, and the Yankees need to make a decision on the pitcher.

The Yankees have made their first step towards retaining the pitcher, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

The Yankees have submitted a $23.15 million qualifying offer to Bednar. He is one of eight players who received such an offer. Players have a choice to accept the offer, remaining with their current club at the offered salary, or they may reject the offer and become an unrestricted free agent. If the player decides to opt for free agency, then his former team will receive draft compensation.

Bednar was a 35th-round draft pick by the San Diego Padres in the 2016 MLB Draft. He was brought to the major league roster in September 2019, making his MLB debut that same day. He would go on to make 13 appearances with the Padres that year, with a 6.55 ERA. The next year, he spent most of the season in the minors, but did make four appearances with the Padres.

In January 2021, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates and would go on to have his first full season in the majors. Bednar became an All-Star with the Pirates. He was selected to the All-Star team in 2022 and 2023, while leading the league in saves in 2023. At the 2025 MLB trade deadline, the Pirates traded Bednar to the Yankees.

This past year, he appeared in 64 games for the Yankees, going 7-3 with a 2.47 ERA. He also had 35 saves and just four blown saves for the team.