Yankees Offer Bednar $23.15M Qualifying Deal

The New York Yankees extended a $23.15 million qualifying offer to relief pitcher David Bednar on Monday. The offer is structured as a one-year contract, which is standard for qualifying offers.

If Bednar accepts, the Yankees secure their closer for one season at a high cost. If he declines, the team receives draft-pick compensation and maintains the option to sign him to a multi-year deal.

Bednar, 32, saved 35 games in 2026 with a 2.47 ERA and 2.61 FIP across 69.1 innings. His performance with the Yankees since joining from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2025 has been solid.

The Yankees did not offer qualifying deals to other players, including Jazz Chisholm Jr., making Bednar the only team member to receive one. This highlights the team's focus on strengthening the bullpen.

The decision avoids long-term commitments ahead of potential changes to the collective bargaining agreement, which expires Dec. 1. It also prevents Bednar from entering a thin relief market without constraints.

The Yankees' approach balances immediate needs with future flexibility, offering either a closer for one season or a draft pick and a path to a longer-term deal without long-term risk.