Without a doubt, the New York Yankees may be in need of a closer as they approach September. The options they’ve tried so far have not been a good fit. One reliever on the Yankees roster who has potential, however, is David Bednar. 
Despite the sloppy on-field performances, the Yankees are not completely out of American League East contention. The team is six games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the division. They currently hold the third spot in the wild card standings.
While being in contention, the closer role needs to be addressed. The Yankees did not go out and deliberately trade for a closer, but Bednar could compete for that role. It appears he’s already started, locking down the save on Monday night against the Minnesota Twins.
David Bednar Could Be Angling to Replace Devin Williams as Yankees Closer
It has been grueling to witness the late-game relief in the Bronx, or when the Yankees are on the road. The closer situation is destructive to the regular season and is putting the team’s postseason chances at risk.
The slide of the 2025 Yankees has been the fault of many, but a lot of recent blame goes to their original closer, Devin Williams. Williams has struggled in various on-field blow-ups. His demeanor and confidence are low, and it has shown on the mound.
Brian Cashman and his management team have a few options for damage control. Option one is to once again give Williams time away from the position, while he recollects himself and regains confidence.
Option two is to relieve Williams from his responsibilities as a Yankee in general. This would be perceived as cutting losses, for performance-based, not monetary, reasons. This would be a good idea, but the Yankees may want the option there.
The better option would be to relieve him from the role and slot in a fresh face. We’ve already seen Luke Weaver; how about Bednar? The right-handed reliever is locked in during each performance so far and comes with experience.
Newly Added Reliever Could Fit Closer Role
At this point, what other options do the Yankees have? There are no other potential pitchers to prevent the bleeding in the late innings. Williams and Weaver are both non-reliable tourniquets, and don’t exactly preserve Yankees leads.
Bednar is a seven-year MLB veteran, spending two seasons with the San Diego Padres, five seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and now wearing Yankees pinstripes. In his seven seasons, the right-hander has a .395 win-loss percentage in relief.
He’s finished a total of 204 games in 299 2/3 innings in his career, and has 103 saves. The two-time All-Star pitcher led the National League in saves in 2023 with 39. Some may ask, what does the recent version of Bednar look like?
His 2025 totals so far are a 2.45 ERA with 45 innings pitched, 63 strikeouts, 13 walks, 37 games finished, and 19 saves. He has a closer-like three-pitch mix, led by a 97 mph fastball, an effective curveball, and a workable splitter.
Bednar brings emphasis and meaning to his outings on the mound. The right-hander deals with intensity and intention. He may be the answer in the ninth inning if the Yankees need it. His next few outings can be the start of a new role for the right-handed reliever.
