5 Mets moves this offseason that fit into their new direction

Mets offseason move that fits into their new direction #3: Trade for David Bednar

There’s no such thing as too many bullpen arms, and David Bednar is a really good one. Bednar has made 44 appearances in 2023, tossing 45.2 innings. He has allowed just 33 hits, seven earned runs, 13 walks, and struck out 56 batters. His ERA is 1.38, his FIP is 2.08, his WHIP is 1.01, and his ERA+ is 326.

The Mets should have Edwin Diaz back next season, so they could add Bednar in a setup role with the expectation that he steps up into the closer role if Diaz has setbacks or gets hurt again.

Bednar has three years of control remaining before becoming a free agent in 2027. It will take more than what the Marlins gave us for 38-year-old rental David Robertson, which was our #9 prospect Marc Vargas and #22 prospect Ronald Hernandez, but the Mets have the depth to make this happen. The Pirates currently don’t have a long-term solution at first base, so Mark Vientos should intrigue them. That's a good starting point for negotiation.

The Pirates free-falled from contender to pretender really quickly this season, and their window of contention is still a couple of years away as their young prospects continue to develop. They should look to move Bednar while he still has value, and the Mets have the depth to pull off a trade like this.