Based on his performance in his last 39 Major League appearances following his early-season demotion to Triple-A, it's fair to say that David Bednar was one of the best closers in baseball leading up to Thursday's trade deadline.
No, it doesn't erase his horrendous 2024 season in which he posted a career-worst 5.77 ERA and seven blown saves in 62 appearances; but Bednar showed admirable perseverance in his quest to return to form, and he had the results to show for it.
Everyone saw it. Everyone, that is, except Ben Cherington.
The Pittsburgh Pirates' general manager fielded plenty of inquiries leading up to the trade deadline as teams around the league took note of Bednar's turnaround.