The Pittsburgh Pirates were leading the National League Central at one point this season, but have come crashing back down to earth over the past few weeks, and will now enter the 2023 MLB Trade Deadline as clear cut sellers. While there are a handful of players the Pirates could unload, one guy drawing a ton of interest is their All-Star closer in David Bednar.

After emerging as the Pirates closer last year, Bednar has taken his game to another level this year, and has been one of the best relievers in all of baseball (3-1, 1.15 ERA, 19 SV, 47 K, 0.95 WHIP). Teams have been wondering whether Pittsburgh would move Bednar, and reports have come out suggesting that while they will listen to calls for their star closer, it will be tough for a deal to get done since he has three more years of arbitration on his current contract.

Via Jon Heyman:

“Pirates are telling teams they’d listen on All-Star closer David Bednar but the understanding is that he’d be difficult to move since he isn’t a free agent until 2027. The Pittsburgh native (another plus for the Bucs) has a 1.15 ERA.”

Given how Bednar is under team control until 2027 and has been absolutely wiping teams out when the Pirates need him to, chances are the asking price for him is going to be very high. Pittsburgh isn't ruling out moving Bednar, but given all the circumstances surrounding his trade status, it seems like it would take a lot for another team to convince the Pirates to move him at the deadline.