Despite signing Aroldis Chapman, Pirates say David Bednar has ‘cemented’ role as closer
BRADENTON, Fla. — David Bednar admits he was “surprised but pumped” when the Pittsburgh Pirates signed Aroldis Chapman, a seven-time All-Star who ranks third among active closers with 321 saves, to a one-year, $10.5 million contract in late January.
That meant the 6-foot-4, 235-pound left-handed Chapman was going to be pitching out of the same bullpen as Bednar, a two-time All-Star closer whose 92.9% save percentage (39 of 42 opportunities) led the majors last season.
It prompted questions: Would Chapman serve as a setup man or closer? Would this affect leverage for a long-term extension? Were the Pirates considering trading Bednar?
Not that Bednar was worried.
“No, though I had some buddies text me,” Bednar told TribLive. “I just take it at face value. Don’t overthink it. I never really thought much about it at all.”
It helped that Pirates general manager Ben Cherington and manager Derek Shelton offered assurances that there would be no change in his role, which Bednar said has “everybody on the same page.” Shelton was emphatic when asked about the bullpen plans Wednesday, when pitchers and catchers reported to Pirate City.
“David’s, obviously, gonna close,” Shelton said. “He’s kinda cemented himself into that role as one of the better guys in the league at that position.”
Added Cherington: “Both with David and with Aroldis during negotiations, we were very clear that we were signing Aroldis to be a high-leverage reliever and help us win games. David was going to be the primary ninth-inning guy. At the same time, we all know there are days during the year where not everyone is available. We feel good that we have some other options that can close, including Aroldis if that opportunity came up.”
The Pirates avoided arbitration with Bednar by agreeing to a $4.51 million contract this season, a $3.765 million raise from 2023 but still less than half of what Chapman will earn this season. Bednar, who is eligible for free agency in 2027, loves playing for his hometown team but said he hasn’t received a long-term extension offer from the Pirates.
Chapman lost his job as closer for the New York Yankees in 2022 and spent last season as a setup man for the Kansas City Royals and World Series champion Texas Rangers. After signing with the Pirates, Chapman stressed that he viewed Bednar as a “very good closer” and considers himself flexible and willing to “help the team wherever they see fit to put me.”
Chapman’s arrival gives the Pirates a feared back-end complement to Bednar for favorable matchups, as Chapman still possesses one of the highest-velocity fastballs in the majors, finished 18 games and recorded six saves last year. The Pirates also returned firemen in lefty Jose Hernandez and Dauri Moreta, as well as leverage relievers in lefty Ryan Borucki and righties Colin Holderman and Carmen Mlodzinski, then added long reliever Josh Fleming.
Shelton called it “the biggest stable of arms that we’ve had in the (five) years that I’ve been here,” one that features threats from both sides and an array of swing-and-miss pitchers and groundball artists who give the manager a chance to mix and match in an effort to shorten games and save a starting rotation that has only three spots filled.
“It’s a group I was really excited for going into this year, then you add a guy like Chapman, it takes it to a whole ’nother level,” Bednar said. “He makes this team a lot better. This bullpen group and how we’re gonna be able to shorten games is gonna be awesome.”
Becoming teammates with Chapman is something Bednar never envisioned as a teenage Pirates fan. Bednar was a senior at Mars Area High School when Chapman was a Pirates nemesis for the Cincinnati Reds who beaned fan favorite Andrew McCutchen in the upper back with a 98-mph fastball in August 2012 amid the division race.
Bednar’s mentality since has changed. He was throwing a bullpen session at PNC Park when Chapman visited for his physical and to sign the contract, so Bednar surprised Chapman with a warm greeting: “Welcome to paradise.”
“That’s a name you recognize and have a lot of respect for what he’s done, what he’s continued to do and how he’s handled the situations and all the spots he’s been in,” Bednar said. “It’s really impressive, and it’s going to be cool to be in the same bullpen as him. …
“As far as all the offseason stuff, we all trust Ben and the front office to make the right signings and everything like that. All that stuff is out of our control, but it is exciting and the bolstering of the bullpen is really cool to see.”
